Susan Akin: Difference between revisions

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Adding local short description: "American pageant titleholder", overriding Wikidata description "Beauty pageant titleholder"
 
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{{Short description|American pageant titleholder}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name =
|name =
|image =
|image = Susan Akin, Miss America, gtfy.00124.jpg
|image_size =
|alt =
|alt =
|caption =
|caption = Akin, 1985
|birth_name =
|birth_name =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1965|8|12}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1964|8|12}}
|birth_place = [[Meridian, Mississippi]]
|birth_place = [[Meridian, Mississippi]]
|death_date =
|death_date =
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|resting_place =
|resting_place =
|resting_place_coordinates =
|resting_place_coordinates =
|residence =
|nationality =
|nationality =
|ethnicity =
|citizenship =
|citizenship =
|other_names =
|other_names =
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|occupation =
|occupation =
|years_active =
|years_active =
⚫
|title = Miss University 1985<br/>[[Miss Mississippi]] 1985<br/>[[Miss America]] 1986
|home_town =
|salary =
|networth =
⚫
|title = Miss University 1985<br>[[Miss Mississippi]] 1985<br>[[Miss America]] 1986
|term =
|term =
|predecessor =[[Sharlene Wells]]
|predecessor =[[Sharlene Wells Hawkes|Sharlene Wells]]
|successor =[[Kellye Cash]]
|successor =[[Kellye Cash]]
|party =
|party =
|opponents =
|opponents =
|boards =
|boards =
|religion =
|spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Jetson Taylor|1990|1994|reason=divorced}}
|spouse =
* {{marriage|Brooks Lynch|1996}}
}}
|partner =
|partner =
|children =
|children = 2
|parents =
|parents =
|relations =
|relations =
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}}
}}


'''Susan Akin''' (born August 12, 1965) is an American [[beauty pageant]] titleholder from [[Meridian, Mississippi|Meridian]], [[Mississippi]] who was [[Miss America 1986]].<ref name=MA1986>{{cite web|url=http://www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1980/1986.aspx|title=Miss America : 1986|accessdate=22 January 2010}}</ref>
'''Susan Akin''' (born August 12, 1964) is an American [[beauty pageant]] titleholder from [[Meridian, Mississippi]] who was [[Miss Mississippi]] 1985 and [[Miss America]] 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.missamerica.com/our-miss-americas/1980/1986.asp|title=Miss America :: History - 1986|date=2006-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060108205108/http://www.missamerica.com/our-miss-americas/1980/1986.asp|access-date=2019-05-17|archive-date=2006-01-08}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
⚫
Akin was born to Earl and Dorothy Akin on August 12, 1964. She was a member of [[Pi Beta Phi]] sorority at the [[University of Mississippi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/piphi/aboutus.html|title=Ole Miss Pi Phi Web Site|access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref>

==Pageantry==
⚫
Before the Miss America 1986 pageant, computer modeling successfully predicted that Akin would be named Miss America, her odds set at 7 to 1.<ref name="wims850910">{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[Star-News|Wilmington Morning Star]] |location=[[Wilmington, NC]] |title=Professor's computer picks Miss Mississippi |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19850910&id=eAEzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3455,2550324&hl=en |page=1D |date=September 10, 1985 |access-date=August 19, 2015}}</ref> During her pageant years, Akin participated in over 110 pageants.<ref name="People people">{{cite web|first1=Michelle |last1=Tauber |first2=Mike |last2=Neill |first3=Lisa |last3=Russell |first4=Joanne|last4=Fowler |first5=Julie |last5=Dam |first6=Alex |last6=Tresniowski |first7=Samantha |last7=Miller |first8=Steve |last8=Dougherty |first9=Ting |last9=Yu |title= American Beauties: 80 Years |work= People |url=https://people.com/archive/american-beauties-80-years-vol-54-no-16/ |date=October 16, 2000}}</ref>

==Career==
[[File:President Ronald Reagan with Susan Akin, Sonny Montgomery, and George H. W. Bush.jpg|right|thumb|Akin with (LtR) President [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Sonny Montgomery]], [[George H. W. Bush]] in 1985]]
Akin traveled extensively with [[Bob Hope]], performing at conventions both in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] and [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]].

Akin was formerly the spokesperson for the National Down's Syndrome Association, during which she spoke before state legislatures and advocacy groups.<ref name=MA1986>{{cite web|url=http://www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1980/1986.aspx |title=Miss America : 1986 |access-date=22 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206200714/http://www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1980/1986.aspx |archive-date=6 February 2010 }}</ref>

In 1991, Akin appeared in a segment on ''[[Unsolved Mysteries]]'' to discuss the unexplained death of Crystal Spencer, an aspiring actress who died in the same apartment building where Akin and her husband, Jet Taylor, lived in 1988.<ref>David Ferrell, [http://articles.latimes.com/1992-02-24/news/mn-2042_1_spencer-case/2 "COLUMN ONE : Murder or Natural Causes? : Four years after Crystal Spencer's death, her case remains a mystery. Following the trail leads to rumors, theories and mishandled evidence"], ''"Los Angeles Times"'', February 24, 1992.</ref>


==Biography==
==Controversies==
⚫
She is the granddaughter of Bernard L. Akin, a conspirator in the [[murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner]] of 1964.<ref>{{cite news|title=What's Past is Past|date=3 October 1985|work=Miami Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sikuAAAAIBAJ&dq=susan-akin%20bernard&pg=3493%2C1377803|title=Miss America's Family Once Linked to Civil Rights Slaying|date=3 October 1985|publisher=The Modesto Bee|access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref> The ''[[Meridian Star]]'' reported Akin's response to her grandfather's involvement, "That's something that doesn't involve me. I wasn't even born and can't be involved in this. And the people who have taken it out of context thinking they can drag me down, cannot and they're not."<ref name=meridianstar1>{{cite news|title=Miss America 1986 Scrapbook: Miss America Comes Home|date=18 October 1985|page=30|publisher=The Meridian Star}}</ref>
⚫
Akin was a member of [[Pi Beta Phi]] Fraternity for Women at the [[University of Mississippi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/piphi/aboutus.html|title=Ole Miss Pi Phi Web Site|accessdate=22 January 2010}}</ref>


⚫
Akin openly opposed mixed marriages with the ''New York Press'' quoting her as saying, "I feel at this time intermixing could lead to more problems."<ref name=meridianstar2>{{cite news|title=Miss America 1986 Scrapbook: Miss America Says No to Mixed Marriage Idea|date=18 October 1985|page=29|publisher=The Meridian Star(New York AP)}}</ref>
In the past, Susan traveled extensively with [[Bob Hope]], performing at conventions both in [[Las Vegas Strip|Las Vegas]] and [[Atlantic City]]. Susan has been politically active since her win and was formerly the spokesperson for the National Down's Syndrome Association, during which she spoke before many state legislatures and advocacy groups.<ref name=MA1986/> She now lives in [[Meridian, Mississippi|Meridian]], Mississippi. She is also the granddaughter of Bernard L. Akin, a conspirator of the [[Mississippi civil rights workers' murders]] of 1964.<ref>{{cite news|title=What's Past is Past|date=3 October 1985|work=Miami Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sikuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5NQFAAAAIBAJ&dq=susan-akin%20bernard&pg=3493%2C1377803|title=Miss America's Family Once Linked to Civil Rights Slaying|date=3 October 1985|publisher=The Modesto Bee|accessdate=22 January 2010}}</ref> The ''[[Meridian Star]]'' reported Akin's response to her grandfather's involvement:
⚫
{{quote|When asked about some of the negative publicity she had received about her grandfather, Miss Akin commented, "That's something that doesn't involve me. I wasn't even born and can't be involved in this. And the people who have taken it out of context thinking they can drag me down, cannot and they're not.<ref name=meridianstar1>{{cite news|title=Miss America 1986 Scrapbook: Miss America Comes Home|date=18 October 1985|page=30|publisher=The Meridian Star}}</ref>}}


==Personal life==
When the press asked about Akin's opinions of mixed marriages the ''New York Press'' reported:
After crowning [[Kellye Cash]] as her successor, Akin moved to [[Los Angeles]] in 1987 to pursue a career in acting, but soon fell into [[alcoholism]]. In the late 1980s, Akin became addicted to [[opiates]] after being injured in a car accident.<ref name="People people"/> She moved back to Mississippi and soon married Jetson "Jet" Taylor and gave birth to a daughter, Alexandria, in 1992. Taylor and Akin divorced in 1994.<ref name="People people"/>
⚫
{{quote|"The new Miss America says she opposes mixed marriages ... I feel in mixed marriages it could be mainly up to the individual, but to me I feel at this time intermixing could lead to more problems ..."<ref name=meridianstar2>{{cite news|title=Miss America 1986 Scrapbook: Miss America Says No to Mixed Marriage Idea|date=18 October 1985|page=29|publisher=The Meridian Star(New York AP)}}</ref>}}


In 1996, Akin married Brooks Lynch.<ref name="People people"/> She continued to struggle with addiction, ultimately leading to a suicide attempt in 1999.<ref name="People people"/>
⚫
Before the pageant, computer modelling successfully predicted that Akin would be named Miss America, her odds set at 7 to 1.<ref name="wims850910">{{cite news |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[Star-News|Wilmington Morning Star]] |location=[[Wilmington, NC]] |title=Professor's computer picks Miss Mississippi |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19850910&id=eAEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0xMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3455,2550324&hl=en |page=1D |date=September 10, 1985 |accessdate=August 19, 2015}}</ref>


Akin and Lynch had a son, Preston Lynch, in 2001.
She appeared on a segment of Unsolved Mysteries.
==Titles won==
*Miss La Petite
*Little Miss Mississippi
*Little Miss America 1970
*Miss University (University of Mississippi)
*Miss Mississippi 1985


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Akin, Susan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akin, Susan}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Miss America 1980s delegates]]
[[Category:Miss America 1980s delegates]]

Latest revision as of 05:10, 29 February 2024

Susan Akin
Akin, 1985
Born (1964-08-12) August 12, 1964 (age 59)
Meridian, Mississippi
Alma materUniversity of Mississippi
TitleMiss University 1985
Miss Mississippi 1985
Miss America 1986
PredecessorSharlene Wells
SuccessorKellye Cash
Spouses
Jetson Taylor
​
​
(m. 1990; div. 1994)​
Brooks Lynch
​
(m. 1996)​
Children2

Susan Akin (born August 12, 1964) is an American beauty pageant titleholder from Meridian, Mississippi who was Miss Mississippi 1985 and Miss America 1986.[1]

Early life and education[edit]

Akin was born to Earl and Dorothy Akin on August 12, 1964. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority at the University of Mississippi.[2]

Pageantry[edit]

Before the Miss America 1986 pageant, computer modeling successfully predicted that Akin would be named Miss America, her odds set at 7 to 1.[3] During her pageant years, Akin participated in over 110 pageants.[4]

Career[edit]

Akin with (LtR) President Ronald Reagan, Sonny Montgomery, George H. W. Bush in 1985

Akin traveled extensively with Bob Hope, performing at conventions both in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Akin was formerly the spokesperson for the National Down's Syndrome Association, during which she spoke before state legislatures and advocacy groups.[5]

In 1991, Akin appeared in a segment on Unsolved Mysteries to discuss the unexplained death of Crystal Spencer, an aspiring actress who died in the same apartment building where Akin and her husband, Jet Taylor, lived in 1988.[6]

Controversies[edit]

She is the granddaughter of Bernard L. Akin, a conspirator in the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner of 1964.[7][8] The Meridian Star reported Akin's response to her grandfather's involvement, "That's something that doesn't involve me. I wasn't even born and can't be involved in this. And the people who have taken it out of context thinking they can drag me down, cannot and they're not."[9]

Akin openly opposed mixed marriages with the New York Press quoting her as saying, "I feel at this time intermixing could lead to more problems."[10]

Personal life[edit]

After crowning Kellye Cash as her successor, Akin moved to Los Angeles in 1987 to pursue a career in acting, but soon fell into alcoholism. In the late 1980s, Akin became addicted to opiates after being injured in a car accident.[4] She moved back to Mississippi and soon married Jetson "Jet" Taylor and gave birth to a daughter, Alexandria, in 1992. Taylor and Akin divorced in 1994.[4]

In 1996, Akin married Brooks Lynch.[4] She continued to struggle with addiction, ultimately leading to a suicide attempt in 1999.[4]

Akin and Lynch had a son, Preston Lynch, in 2001.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Miss America :: History - 1986". 2006-01-08. Archived from the original on 2006-01-08. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  2. ^ "Ole Miss Pi Phi Web Site". Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Professor's computer picks Miss Mississippi". Wilmington Morning Star. Wilmington, NC. Associated Press. September 10, 1985. p. 1D. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e 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.
  5. ^ "Miss America : 1986". Archived from the original on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  6. ^ David Ferrell, "COLUMN ONE : Murder or Natural Causes? : Four years after Crystal Spencer's death, her case remains a mystery. Following the trail leads to rumors, theories and mishandled evidence", "Los Angeles Times", February 24, 1992.
  7. ^ "What's Past is Past". Miami Herald. 3 October 1985.
  8. ^ "Miss America's Family Once Linked to Civil Rights Slaying". The Modesto Bee. 3 October 1985. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  9. ^ "Miss America 1986 Scrapbook: Miss America Comes Home". The Meridian Star. 18 October 1985. p. 30.
  10. ^ "Miss America 1986 Scrapbook: Miss America Says No to Mixed Marriage Idea". The Meridian Star(New York AP). 18 October 1985. p. 29.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss America
1986 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Miss Mississippi
1985 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Susan_Akin&oldid=1210965696"