There she is, an organization called Miss America. The Miss America Organization (MAO) provides more than $45 million a year in cash and scholarships to its Miss America beauty pageant participants, who in turn perform some 570,000 hours of community service. Contestants compete locally, and 52 women (from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands) make it to the Miss America competition each year. The winner goes on a yearlong speaking tour to promote her chosen cause, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS, literacy, and world peace. MAO was established in 1921.