Posing with her newly won "vestaments," Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, seems relaxed and happy. Shelton, from Virginia, won her title in Miami Beach, Florida.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

One of the official headshots of Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970. The jade-eyed, brown haired Shelton was the second of back-to-back delegates from Virginia to become Miss USA.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, takes the traditional "day after" photo. Shelton's prizes as Miss USA included not only the trophy shown here, but also a personal appearance contract, a cash award and a mink coat.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

Posing soon after winning her title, Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, seems a little overwhelmed. In addition to becoming Miss USA, Shelton also received honors as Miss Pixable, a Swimsuit Finalist, during the 1970 Miss USA Pageant. She later went on to be 1st Runner-up in the 1970 Miss Universe Pageant.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

Striking a pensive pose, Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, seems to show her intellectual side. Shelton's life ambition was "to promote understanding through close communication with other peoples."

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

Newly crowned Miss USA 1970, Debbie Shelton, poses with her four runners up. Shelton won her title during the 90 minute 1970 Miss USA Pageant which was broadcast on CBS. Today, the Miss USA Pageant continues to broadcast on the CBS Television Network, which also co-owns the Pageant with Donald J. Trump.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

5'8" Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, shows her full stature. Shelton's hobbies included football, gymnastics, painting, drawing, and modeling.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

A student at Old Dominion University before becoming Miss USA 1970, Debbie Shelton was 21 years old when she won her title. At the time, her studies included Art and Spanish.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, laughs at a joke by President Richard Nixon. During her travels as Miss USA, Shelton met many dignitaries and community leaders.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970

Debbie Shelton, Miss USA 1970, poses for a photo. During her reign, Shelton posed for thousands of pictures.

Keywords: Debbie Shelton, USA_HISTORY, USA1970