Myerson was the Miss New York entry in the 1945 Miss America pageant,[1] and she competed in the talent portion of the contest by performing the music of Edvard Grieg and George Gershwin.[9] Prior to the competition she was pressured to use a pseudonym that "sounded less Jewish." Myerson refused[11][16] and was subjected to substantial antisemitism.[1][17] After she won the title on September 8, 1945, three of the pageant's five sponsors withdrew from having her represent their companies as Miss America.[3][11][16]