In Memory of Phyllis Whitenack
Phyllis Whitenack, the first America’s Junior Miss, passed away last year at the age of 70. An avid supporter of the program, Phyllis maintained ties to Mobile and was a member of the Alumnae Council. In 2007, Phyllis traveled to Mobile for the 50th anniversary of America’s Junior Miss. The Distinguished Young Women family will truly miss Phyllis and will forever remember the mark she left on this program as its first national representative.
“She was an icon for our program and continued to support us throughout her life. I’m so thankful that she was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our program in 2007. We know she was proud to be in the Junior Miss sisterhood.”
- Becky Jo Peterson, Executive Director of Distinguished Young Women
“She was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She was the perfect choice for a first Junior Miss. She set the example for the rest of us. She will be missed by all of us who knew her.”
- Maureen Collins, America’s Junior Miss 1960
“She was the 4th America’s Junior Miss I remember meeting – Julie Thurber judged my state program, Mary Fran emceed my program and Linda Rutledge was my judge. But just a few short and fast-paced days later, Phyllis and I were interviewed together on “Good Morning America.” I was so in awe of these four amazing women; they all made such an indelible impression on me. But my experience with Phyllis was so tender – bless her heart, she was so noticeably nervous, and yet her first concern and priority was putting me at ease. Afterward, she and I had a great visit where she was so interested in me and made me feel so special and so capable. She really gave me sweet encouragement that I could be successful in this new role. Years later she came to one of the National Finals and we had a wonderful reunion. I have and will treasure those memories forever.”
- Valerie Tyler, America’s Junior Miss 1985
“I had the great honor of meeting Phyllis in California of all places and she was elegant, kind and warm all in one embrace.”
- Amy E. Goodman, America’s Junior Miss 1991
