The parade was canceled, but Queen Dolores Brubach took on a greater role raising war bonds.
In December 1941, 17-year-old Dolores Jean Brubach was days away from fulfilling her dream as Pasadena Rose Queen.Suddenly, the cloud of war cast its somber shadow over Los Angeles and the nation.
The new name also came with a greater purpose – to encourage Americans to contribute to the war effort, so the lost Rose Parade could make way for a parade of victory.Brubach spent the days leading up to the New Year calling for war bond donations at public events and asking people to mail her postcards sharing their acts of wartime service. On Jan. 1, 1942, Dolores amplified her call nationwide through a live half-time broadcast from the Rose Bowl stadium.
The radio broadcast ended with the four lonesome spectators singing “Auld Lang Syne” for their national audience. The process has changed significantly since then and now focuses on qualities including young women’s public speaking ability, academic achievement, leadership, and community and school involvement.
“I can’t complain,” she told the Times. “I didn’t have a real parade, but I was able to sell a lot of war bonds as the Rose Queen that year and that was rewarding.”