I wish to express my heartfelt condolences for Bess Myerson, Miss New York City-New York State-Miss America (1945), pianist, television actress and personality, and confidante to Mr. New York (Mayor Edward Koch). Miss New York City came from a working-class family of Russian-Jewish immigrants, studied piano from the age of nine, and pursued music at The High School of Music & Art, Hunter College, as well as Graduate studies at the Juilliard School and Columbia University. She was the first Consumer Affairs Commissioner for New York City (1969-1973), and successfully pioneered consumer protection laws. Miss New York City was a frequent public companion of Congressman Ed Koch, chaired his campaign for Mayor, and played a prominent role in the Koch administration as commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs (1983-1987).
Born in the Bronx, Bess Myerson “grew up ridin’ the subways with people/Up in Harlem, down on Broadway” (Native New Yorker, Odyssey, 1977) and exemplified the rarity of the marriage of beauty, artistic talent, and public service.
Just as there is only one Mr. New York, there is only one Miss New York: Bess Myerson. “And oh where did all those yesterdays go when you still believed/Love could really be like a Broadway show./You were the star, when did it close” (ibid.).
Rest in peace, Miss New York. We love you. We miss you.
Joseph Manago
Flushing
