For The First Time, Black Women Wear Crowns In Four Major Pageants At The Same Time

For the first time in history, top beauty pageants — Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America and now, Miss Universe — have crowned black women as their winners.

According to CNN, only in the last 50 years have black women become more prevalent in these competitions. Janelle Commissiong was the first black Miss Universe in 1977, Vanessa Williams was the first black Miss America in 1983, and Carole Anne-Marie Gist, the first black Miss USA contestant, was crowned in 1990. The following year Janel Bishop became the first black Miss Teen USA.

When Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa was named Miss Universe on Sunday, she joined a historic group of black women, along with 2019 Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, 2019 Miss Teen USA Kaliegh Garris and 2019 Miss America Nia Franklin.

All four of these women stood on great causes. Miss Universe fights against gender-based violence, miss USA works on behalf of prisoners, Miss Teen USA defies pageant beauty norms, and Miss America encourages children to let music inspire them.

Let’s take a look at the moments these beautiful ladies were crowned.

Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi