Miss America winner Nia Imani Franklin is glad she didnt have to wear a swimsuit for the competition.

Im happy that I didnt have to do so to win this title tonight because Im more than just that, Franklin told the Associated Press after her victory on Sunday. And all these women onstage are more than just that.

Franklin competed as Miss New York and was crowned Miss America 2019 at the organizations annual pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Winning a $50,000 scholarship, Franklin takes over the crown from Miss America 2018 Cara Mund.

These changes, I think, will be great for our organization, Franklin continued. Ive already seen so many young women reaching out to me personally as Miss New York asking how they can get involved because I think they feel more empowered that they dont have to do things such as walk in a swimsuit for a scholarship.

Miss America chair Gretchen Carlson announced in June that the swimsuit competition would no longer be included in the pageant as it evolves with the times, especially in light of the recent Me Too movement.

The organization has endured a tumultuous few weeks, after Mund accused Carlson in August of silencing and bullying her during her one-year tenure as Miss America. More than 20 former Miss America winners have since called for the organizations entire board, including Carlson, to resign. Carlson denied all of Munds accusations.

In a recent interview with HuffPost , Mund said she hopes the next Miss America will have a very different experience than she did.