Woman with autism was public choice for Miss America

Alexis Wineman/Wineman Family

As reported on Disability Scoop, Alexis Wineman from Cut Bank, Mont., was “America’s Choice” for Miss America. The online popular vote secured Wineman a place in the contest semifinals.

Her platform as Miss Montana is “Normal is Just a Dryer Setting‚ Living with Autism.”

“It’s amazing how people don’t accept other people just because they’re different. Being different is not something to look down on, but to be embraced,” Wineman told Disability Scoop. “People need to understand. I want to talk to kids with autism too and share with them that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

And even though she did not take the crown, Disability Scoop noted that Wineman made history as the first person with autism to compete in the 92-year-old beauty pageant.