Four prize winners in the 1922 beauty show at Washington Bathing Beach, Washington, D.C. Left to right: Gay Gatley, Eva Fridell, Anna Neibel, Iola Swinnerton. View full image. National Photo Company Collection.
I get the "titian haired beauty part" because she's definitely that, but if she's wearing the same suit that she wore in the competition I'll eat a pair of my old sneakers. There is no way in the world that that suit is "a yellow bathing suit with narrow black stripes around it."
Submitted by stanton_square on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 1:44pm.
Washington Post, Aug 6, 1922
Titian-Haired Girl Wins Beauty Prize
The old-fashioned titian-haired beauty, without the modern make-up, returned to popularity yesterday, by winning the fourth annual beauty contest at the Tidal Basin. A girl with curls, of athletic type and wearing the normal style of bathing suit, Miss Eva Fridell, a 17 year-old Business High school student, took the capital prize, a large silver loving cup. She wore a yellow bathing suit with narrow black stripes around it. Not only is she a regular patron of the beach, but one of the expert divers and swimmers. Miss Fridell, whose complexion needed no paint or powder, quickly caught the eye of the judges A.J. Frey, Isaac Gans and Arthur Leslie Smith. The winner lives with her parents at 611 Ninth street, northeast
The winner of the style show at the beach a few months ago, Miss Anna Niebel (sic), of 1370 Harvard street northwest, again came out as the winner of the best costume for beauty, design and durability. Miss Niebel was awarded a silver loving cup for the suit she wore, which was all blue rubber, with several white stripes at intervals.
Second prize for the beauty was awarded to Miss Gay Gately (sic), of 1402 Massachusetts avenue southeast. Miss Iola Swinnerton, of 3125 Mount Pleasant street, northwest, was awarded second prize for costumes. Both were given engraved gold medals.
The winner of this constest received a check for $1000 as first prize.
Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Mon, 05/14/2007 - 8:16pm.
I agree with Anonymous Tipster......In today's society if you are a woman you have to be skinny or almost fake looking to get in pictures for commercials or magazines. I think today people need to reconsider woman as a whole and not based on what they look like.
I agree Anonymous Tipster. :)
It's sad that we can't be happy with how our bodies look. It's nice to see women that aren't starved winning awards for being beautiful!
Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Fri, 04/27/2007 - 11:24am.
I'm curious as to where this DC Bathing Beach was. I'm sure the water back in '22 was a heck of a lot cleaner than it currenty is. I coulnd't imagine getting in any of the rivers around here for enjoyment. Ew!
Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Thu, 04/26/2007 - 7:08pm.
It's fascinating to see how the image of the "ideal" body has changed, and yet the average female has the same type shape. This female feels a little better. . .!
