Jane Harrison competes as MISS OHIO in the MISS USA Pageant in Miami, Beach

As the first African American woman to win the Miss Ohio title, Jane went on to place in the final 10 at the national Miss USA pageant in Miami, Beach where Deborah Shelton (Miss Virginia) won the crown. Jane was 18 and a senior in high school. The pageant was the same night as her senior prom and the dance had TV sets plastered throughout as they all cheered her on.