Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Breckenridge Jr. She was our heroine in the 50s. Miriam Jacqueline Stevenson was the first Miss USA to win Miss Universe. She was the first of seven Americans to win the Miss Universe crown.

Stevenson was Miss Greenwood and next Miss South Carolina in 1953 which led her to the Miss America pageant. She was a semi- finalist for Miss America in 1953 and won the contest in 1954. Later she was crowned Miss USA and Miss Universe.

Stevenson tap danced in the talent competitions. Before the competitions, she had special training in dancing, clarinet, piano, and art.

Stevenson had blond hair, blue eyes, and stood five- feet- five- and- one- half - inches tall and was 120 pounds. Her win over Brazil's Martha Rocha was memorable because there was a tie between the two for the crown. Catalina was the major sponsor for the pageant, and the final judgment came down to who had the better figure. Rocha got the car that Stevenson won in her prize package as a consolation.

Stevenson grew up one of four children on a dairy farm near Winnsboro, South Carolina. In high school, she played ball, was a cheerleader, and sang in the school choir.

After traveling around the world and enjoying the Hollywood scene, Stevenson completed her education at Lander College. She learned about fashion design, majored in home economics, and fell in love with painting. During college, she painted a picture of the Mount Zion Institute which is still available in print from Stevenson herself.

After college, Stevenson got a job at WIS TV where she produced and appeared frequently. It was during this time when she met Don Upton, a major part of WIS. They married in 1956 and had two children.

Stevenson made a home for her family and cared for elderly members of her immediate family who were ill. Upton died in the late 70s.

In 1981, still very involved in the community, Stevenson married Duncan Breckenridge Jr. She continues with her talents by restoring fine porcelain, bisques, and china. She has turned to watercolor as a medium with her painting. She also designs her own wardrobe. One of her gowns was exhibited in a museum show. Presently, she is archiving her memories.