Muscogee Daughter: My Sojourn to the Miss America Pageant

by Susan Supernaw

How American is Miss America? For Susan Supernaw, a Muscogee (Creek) and Munsee Native American, the question wasn’t just academic. Throughout a childhood clouded by poverty, alcoholism, abuse, and a physical disability, Supernaw sought escape in school and dance and the Native American Church. She became a presidential scholar, won a scholarship to college, and was crowned Miss Oklahoma in 1971. Supernaw might not have won the Miss America pageant that year, but she did call attention to the Native peoples living largely invisible lives throughout their own American land. And she did at long last earn her Native American name.

Chronicling a quest to escape poverty and find meaning, Supernaw’s story is revealing, humorous, and deeply moving. Muscogee Daughter is the story of finding a Native American identity among the distractions and difficulties of American life and of discerning an identity among competing notions of what it is to be a woman, a Native American, and a citizen of the world.
 

Genres: Memoir, Indigenous, Nonfiction, Native American

270 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Katterley]

What an inspiring story. I really enjoyed learning about her wonderful, yet tragic childhood and how she overcame many obstacles.

[Kendal Kristiansen]

In this spiritual and breathtaking Memoir Muscogee Daughter by Susan Supernaw, young Susie faced obstacles that many would never imagine overcoming. Being Native American, Susie encountered racial segregation in the early years of her life due to the recent segregation laws. Susie had bigger problems at home and in school to deal with and it seemed like anywhere she went she couldn't catch a break. Being obused from one dad to her new step dad, she lived in fear for most of her life, running and confiding in the church for strength. This made her cherish her religion and put her on a quest to earn her Indian name. Just when Susie thought her journey was ending she realizes that it has just began. The past helps bring strength to make the present brighter.This book would be a great read for those who like hardships, building strength, and motivational memoirs.

[Dave]

She's smart and funny.