Jacquelyn Mayer

Jacquelyn Jeanne Mayer (born August 20, 1942) is a former Miss Ohio 1962 and Miss America 1963[1] and currently travels the United States as a motivational speaker, noted for her recovery from a near-fatal stroke suffered at age 28.[2]

Jacquelyn Mayer
Born (1942-08-20) August 20, 1942
Sandusky, Ohio
EducationNorthwestern University
Occupation(s)Health care activist
Motivational speaker
Beauty pageant director
TitleMiss Vacationland 1962
Miss Ohio 1962
Miss America 1963
PredecessorMaria Fletcher
SuccessorDonna Axum
SpouseJohn Townsend
Children2

Early life and education

Mayer graduated Sandusky High School in 1960, spending much of her senior year in Austria as an exchange student, and then attended Northwestern University, where a friend encouraged her to enter the Miss America contest for the scholarship money offered to the winner.[3][4]

Pageantry

She was first crowned Miss Vacationland (representing her native Sandusky and Lake Erie Islands region) in 1962 - becoming the first ever winner of the crown, then went on to win the Miss Ohio pageant later that year.[5] On September 8, 1962, at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, she was crowned Miss America 1963.[6][7]

Mayer is an executive director of the Miss Vacationland pageant.[5]

Health issues and activism

In 1970, Mayer suffered a stroke[8] in the early hours following a Thanksgiving evening with her family.[9] She was rushed to the hospital and though surviving, spent the next seven years in rehabilitation needing to re-learn such simple tasks as the alphabet and basic motor functions.[10][11] Thirty years later, having regained the ability to walk and speak, Mayer considers herself 90% recovered.[12] Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, formerly known as Providence Hospital, features the Jackie Mayer Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center.[4]

For over 20 years, Mayer has dedicated her life to assisting stroke survivors and their families. She has been a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association,[13] made educational films to raise stroke awareness, helped found the National Stroke Association,[14] and has appeared on Good Morning America and The Phil Donahue Show, and her story has been featured in magazines such as People and Family Circle.

Personal life

She married John Townsend and has two children, Bill Townsend, a technology entrepreneur,[15] and Kelly Rostic, a former anchorwoman with NBC and Fox.[4][16]

Awards and honors

Beauty pageants

Halls of Fame

State/Local

Other

References
  1. Associated Press (1962-09-07). "Miss America Crown Won by Ohio's Jacquelyn Mayer". Gadsden Times. p. 1.
  2. "Stroke victim to discuss warning signs". Deseret News. 2001-02-18.
  3. "Miss America Owes Much To Her Music". Owosso Argus-Press. 1962-11-12. p. 8.
  4. "Former Miss America rebounds from stroke to help other people". Toledo Blade. 2000-04-23. p. 2.1.
  5. "Sandusky Ohio News | Sandusky Register". sanduskyregister.com. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  6. "A Former Miss America Tells of Her Crowning Achievement: Recovery from a Stroke". PEOPLE. May 17, 1982.
  7. "Mayer bio - Ohio History.org". Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  8. United Press International (1971-11-11). "Beauty queen claims pill caused her to have stroke". Montreal Gazette. p. 29.
  9. United Press International (1970-12-01). "Full recovery seen for '63 Miss America". The Bryant Times. p. 3.
  10. "It's A Long Way From Atlantic City To Meadow Land". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1978-09-12. p. 2.
  11. Associated Press (1982-09-08). "Former Miss America speaks about her life". Wilwaukee Sentinel. p. 7.
  12. "Stroke Awareness". Reading Eagle. 1999-05-19. p. B4.
  13. "Remarkable Recovery". Times Daily. 1988-05-20. p. 2A.
  14. "Stroke survivor cited". Pittsburgh Press. 1992-02-22. p. W2.
  15. "Amati Foundaion & Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". amatifoundation.org. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  16. Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
  17. Sims, Damon (2009-04-20). "Ohio 2 Changes its Name on Stretch of Road to Include Carl B. Stokes' Name". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
  18. Ohio Revised Code Section 5533.66
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