Press Release: Celebrating the Legacy of Oklahoma’s First Miss America and Philanthropist Margery Mayo Bird
Tulsa, OK — On September 30, 1926, a momentous occasion unfolded as over 5,000 jubilant spectators welcomed the arrival of train-borne Norma Smallwood, the first Oklahoman to be crowned Miss America. The young beauty queen was greeted by marching bands and a Marine Corps honor guard in a vibrant ceremony at Frisco Station, ultimately culminating in a lavish banquet at the majestic Mayo Hotel, known for hosting celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and J. Paul Getty.
The Mayo Hotel, co-founded by John Mayo in 1925, quickly became the social hub of Tulsa, captivating guests with its Crystal Ballroom. Among those who frequented the hotel was ten-year-old Margery Mayo, who later became Margery Mayo Bird, a prominent figure in Oklahoma’s philanthropic landscape.
In 1927, 19-year-old Smallwood captured the heart of oil magnate Thomas Gilcrease, and the couple’s marriage in 1928 made headlines across the nation. While the Gilcrease Museum opened to the public in 1944, it remained largely unnoticed until its grand opening in 1949, five years after Gilcrease’s divorce.
Meanwhile, Margery continued to shine in local society, dedicating herself to philanthropy and the arts. She played a crucial role in supporting the Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum of Art, and Tulsa Historical Society, earning a Governor’s Arts Award in 2006 for her contributions to the arts in Oklahoma. Her legacy endures as the Gilcrease expands with a $139 million renovation project set for completion in 2026.
Margery Mayo Bird passed away on August 29, 2012, leaving behind a rich legacy interwoven with the heart of Tulsa’s cultural history.
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