Alyce McCormick

Alyce McCormick (1899 – January 5, 1932) was an American actress and a leader in the Volunteers of America (VOA).

Early years McCormick was born in Chicago in 1899 and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. McCormick. The family moved to Omaha when she was six or seven years old. Her father was a minister who was head of operations of the (VOA) for four states, and Maud Ballington Booth (co-founder of the group) was her godmother. In 1923, she was designated the most beautiful girl in Nebraska in a contest, which led to her going to New York City to participate in a national beauty contest. She finished as runner-up in the national competition, which was held in conjunction with the Spring Fashion Show of the National Milliners' Association.

Career Before McCormick became an entertainer, she was the Omaha relief secretary for the Volunteers of America. She began helping with missionary work when she was four years old, and as she matured she took on more responsibilities. She sang in prisons in North Carolina, New Jersey, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, and California. She preached and conducted testimony meetings. She ministered to needy people, and she kept books for the organization.

In 1923, McCormick began working as a showgirl at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway, Following that third show, a Broadway producer offered her "three months' strenuous training under the ablest of instructors and at the end of that time to star her in one of the famous annual revues". She declined that offer and returned to Omaha to resume her work with VOA.

Death McCormick married Caryl H. Strauser in St. Louis on February 26, 1918. She filed for divorce a few months after the marriage, but Strauser tried to shoot her and then killed himself before the case was heard in court.