You can’t take “beauty” out of “beauty pageant.”

A former Miss New York disagrees with the Miss America Organization’s plans to scrap its swimsuit contest and stop judging contestants on their looks — telling The Post on Tuesday that a true pageant queen needs to look the part.

“They’re trying to put more focus and emphasis on the woman and her accomplishments, I think part of the accomplishment is keeping a really good healthy figure and carrying yourself very proud and womanly,” said Judith Graham, 65, who represented the Big Apple in the 1973 Miss America when she was known as Judith Keithley.

“For me, I say stick with the program! It’s worked for almost a hundred years, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And I don’t think it’s broken at all!”

Graham, who played piano in the talent portion of the contest, said a contestant’s character is important — but they have to be the “whole package.”

“It ain’t just about jiggle and jangle, this is a competition that turns out women who have something to say, know how to say it, say it with conviction and they stand up for their causes,” she said.

“But I do feel it’s a very integral part of the pageant … I think it’s very important, health, fitness, how you carry yourself in an evening gown, how you speak, it’s the whole package.

Still, she says — she’ll be tuning in for the new-fangled version of the 100-year-old pageant.

“Would I watch it with or without it? Yes because I’m interested in the pageant… and because I know these girls aren’t judged solely by their swimsuits and evening gowns.”

And others former Miss New Yorks welcomed the change, saying they think it will bring in more modern viewers.

“Being Miss America is a scholarship pageant, I am in agreement that it is open to women of all shapes and sizes!” said 1980 Miss New York Cheryl Flanagan, 56.

“Although I am a traditionalist and competed in 1980 and did wear a swimsuit, I feel change with the times is a good thing — a modern way of presenting the new Miss America pageant … I feel the public will accept the pageant more and watch it more.”