N J`s Other Ms. America

EDGEWATER, N.J. — Grace Bruck`s modeling career was cut short decades ago when she left her portfolio on a bus, but the 83-year-old grandmother will soon have her chance at the spotlight again. Bruck has been selected as the first woman to represent New Jersey at the Ms. American Classic pageant. The 4-year-old pageant, for women ages 60 and older, will be held in Charleston, S.C., with contestants from 14 other states.

The mother of three grown children - whose eldest daughter is 54 - admits being nervous about the Aug. 18 event.

"I just feel very lucky that I`ve gotten this far," Bruck told The Record of Hackensack for Friday`s editions. "I would have to say it`s a compliment. Whether I deserve it or not, I`m not sure."

Contestants are judged on talent, poise, statements of principle and private interviews with judges. The winner, given the title of Ms. American Classic Senior Woman of the Year, makes a variety of guest appearances during the year, including the Celebrate Your Age Expo in Philadelphia.

Pageant co-founder Maureen Donovan, a Philadelphia marketing consultant, said Ms. American Classic was created to counteract the youth-oriented culture of the United States.

"Our goal is to show women and their resilience, their spirit, their fortitude and the things that have kept them going," she said. "None of them want to be little old ladies like Grandma used to be."

To win the state title, Bruck competed against four other contestants from New Jersey. She has a rhinestone tiara and sash bearing the state`s name that she keeps on a bust of Mozart and a pedestal.

For the national pageant, Bruck plans to wear a champagne-color evening dress with a beaded shawl. She plans to recite the poem "A Strong Woman Versus a Woman of Strength."

Bruck was born and raised in Brooklyn, and pursued modeling for a short time in her 20s, getting a few magazine ads for products such as margarine and tires. Her career ended after she left her portfolio on a bus.

"After that, my career didn`t get a chance," she said.

Bruck has held a number of jobs in her lifetime, including heading up the rebate department of a beer company, working as a keypunch operator at Merrill Lynch and IBM and as an executive secretary for The Associated Press in Manhattan.

Bruck now lives at an assisted living facility, and over the years she`s had surgery to remove cataracts and to install a pacemaker.

Her husband, Kurt, died seven years ago, something she said she hasn`t recovered from yet.

She said she takes comfort in visits and phone calls from her children and grandchildren, with whom she jokes about her new title and tiara.

"They say, `Grandma, go for it`," Bruck said.

(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News