“Sharon is City’s Fairest” trumpeted the Anaheim Bulletin on April 29, 1967, and continued on that “Dark-haired Sharon Bernstein is the new Miss Anaheim.” Sharon had moved to Anaheim from Culver City when she was 12 years old, and was one of only five Jews in her high school. When she entered the Miss Anaheim Pageant, it was suggested that she change her last name to have a better chance of winning. She refused to do so and went on to win against 23 other contestants. In her role as Miss Anaheim, Sharon cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Anaheim Convention Center and threw out the first ball at the Angels’ game. She was one of the most photographed Miss Anaheims in the city’s history. She raised her children in Orange County and continues to live here today.
Dalia Taft is the archivist of the Orange County Jewish Historical Society of Jewish Federation & Family Services Orange County and highlights images from the archives every month. For more information, please visit JewishOrangeCounty.org/historical. You can also contact Dalia at historical@jffs.org or at (949) 435-3484, ext. 296.
Sharon is leaving her mark on society as a wonderful elementary school teacher as well as her beauty as she also has brains. Great accomplishment. Also she is very active within the Jewish commnunity.