Carlson, Hopper explain Miss America 2.0 at National Press Club Luncheon

The Miss America competition is not a beauty pageant, it's a competition for a job. That's Miss America 2.0 as described at a July 24 National Press Club Headliners Luncheon by the organization's leaders, Gretchen Carlson (Miss America 1989) and Regina Hopper (Miss Arkansas 1983).

The organization announced earlier this year that the swimsuit-and-heels parade is a thing of the past. "We will no longer judge our candidates on physical appearance," said Carlson, who chairs the Miss America board of directors. The new mission statement, she said, is "to prepare great women for the world and the world for great women."

"We want Miss America to be seen for what it really is but yet hasn't really been able to talk about very well," said Hopper, president and chief executive officer."And that is, 'You can be Miss Minister, Miss Mom, Miss Jet Pilot, Miss Member of the Military, Miss CEO -- Miss Whatever You Want to Be.' ... Most importantly, they can define their own beauty. They can be beautiful because they have a social conscience. They can be glamorous because they want to make a difference in the world."

Carlson and Hopper emphasized the confidence and skills they said women develop as they compete and the scholarship money that comes with a local, state or national title. For example, according to the Miss America website, almost $489,000 was awarded to the 51 state winners in 2018.

The end of the swimsuit competition brought some controversy; 22 state organizations objected.

"We acknowledge the discipline it takes for young women to be fit, and trust me, you have to be fit to do this job," Carlson said. "So we're not saying that we don't honor that ... We're just saying we're not going to judge them on that."

And contrary to widespread reports, Hopper said, there is still an evening-wear competition. Now, though contestants will have wide latitude in choosing what to wear.

The finals will be televised Sept. 9 on ABC at 9 p.m.

Both Carlson and Hopper are volunteers for the Miss America organization, Carlson said.

Carlson, a former Fox News anchor, was asked about #MeToo, a hashtag increasingly used by women showing solidarity in protest of sexual harassment. In 2016, Carlson filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit against Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes. He resigned, and two months after the suit was filed, it was settled, reportedly for $20 million.

"I think they're two independent things," she said. "Obviously, we're experiencing what I refer to as a cultural revolution now. ... Cultural shifts and change do not happen that quickly usually, and the idea that we've come this far in such a short period of time is incredibly rewarding to me."