Gretchen Carlson, a former Miss America and Fox News host, has been elected chairman of the Miss America Organization Board of Directors after an email scandal forced a change in leadership.
The board also approved the addition of Laura Kaeppeler Fleiss, Miss America 2012; Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000; and Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998 to its ranks on Monday.
"Everyone has been stunned by the events of the last several days, and this has not been easy for anyone who loves this program. In the end, we all want a strong, relevant Miss America and we appreciate the existing board taking the steps necessary to quickly begin stabilizing the organization for the future," Carlson said in a statement.
Published emails two weeks ago revealed that pageant bosses referred to past winners with a sexually demeaning vulgarity, criticized a former titleholder's weight and sex life and made other disparaging comments.
Carlson has been an advocate for women's rights in the workplace.
In July 2016, she accused Roger Ailes, Fox News' powerful CEO and chairman, of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Within months, Ailes was ousted from Fox News. The network apologized to Carlson and reportedly paid her $20 million in damages.
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