WASHINGTON - Former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson has been named the new chairperson of the Miss America beauty pageant, becoming the first former winner to lead the organization following a scandal over lewd and sexist e-mails.

Her appointment, announced in a statement Monday, came just over a week after the resignation of the pageant's under-fire CEO Sam Haskell, who had written some of the e-mails that contained misogynistic, fat- and slut-shaming language.

"Honored to move this iconic program forward with so many amazing volunteers," the 51-year-old Carlson, who won the competition in 1989, wrote on Twitter.

Carlson's appointment was effective immediately, the organization said, adding that three other former winners would join the board of directors.

"Most previously serving directors have resigned," the statement said.

Dozens of former beauty queens had demanded that Haskell step down after The Huffington Post published leaked internal e-mails that included a vulgarity to refer to past winners and the shaming of one over her weight and sex life, with Haskell calling her "a piece of trash." - AFP