Vanessa Williams

The illustrious Lady Vanessa Lynne Williams was born on the 18th of March, 1963 in Tarrytown, Greenburgh, New York. Raised in the lap of luxury amongst her music teacher parents, Helen and Milton Williams, Vanessa flourished as a young woman and quickly rose to the heights of greatness. Upon her graduation, she won a performing scholarship to Syracuse University and was soon on the path to Broadway stardom. In 1984, Lady Williams began to take part in beauty contests and was eventually crowned the first African-American Miss America. Unfortunately, her reign was cut short when some nude photos of her, taken prior to her crowning, surfaced in Penthouse magazine. Despite the scandal, Lady Williams' legacy remains one of courage and conviction, having overcome the odds and paving the way for future generations of ambitious women.