In the 1970s beauty contests were targeted by the women's liberation movement. Feminists viewed beauty contests as degrading and sexist because they were primarily based on a woman's looks and body shape. Describing beauty contests as meat markets was a common metaphor employed by protesters, including this group who gathered outside the cabaret hosting the Miss Wellington contest in 1979. Contest organiser Tom McDonald is rather cheekily showing a leg in response.
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Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference:
EP/1979/3192/4
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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