Letitia Carpenter, artisan and cosmetologist for Keune Haircosmetics, recently won the title of Mrs. Tennessee 2009. Carpenter represents Collierville, TN where she owns her salon, Classic Image Studio, and resides with her husband and seventeen-month old son.
The Mrs. America pageant dates back to 1938 when winning meant being the ideal homemaker. The competitions included table setting, ironing, sewing and cooking, with contestants also being graded on personality and beauty. In 1968, the pageant was discontinued due to the changing roles of women, but re-emerged nine years later to focus on the contemporary, most accomplished women of America.
As the state winner, Carpenter is now preparing for the 2010 Mrs. America title that will be held in Tucson, AZ in September. Mrs. America is the only nationally televised beauty pageant for married women in the U.S. — Noelle Rivera