Biography of Jeri RyanDebbye Turner (born September 19, 1965 in Honolulu, Hawaii) is an American veterinarian, talk show host, and former beauty queen. Turner was Miss America 1990.
Turner, who was raised in Arkansas, was first runner-up in the Miss Black Teenage World pageant in 1981, and went on to become Miss America nearly nine years later. Turner became the third African-American woman to wear the crown and title of Miss America and the second African-American woman to win the title during the national pageant. Some consider Turner the first African-American woman to win the Miss America crown.
Turner completed her bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Arkansas State University in 1991 and next completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She first pursued veterinary medicine before deciding to go into television.
Turner's first hosting job came at St. Louis' NBC affiliate KSDK, and a show called Show Me St. Louis in 1995. Six years later, Turner joined CBS News as a reporter and contributor for The Early Show, a job that she has held since. Debbye often fills in on the CBS Morning News when anchor Susan McGinnis is away.
Turner is an accomplished singer, pianist, percussionist, and marimba player, the latter of which she performed '"Flight of the Bumblebee" on during the talent competition at Miss America. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
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