For the First Time in History, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss America, and Miss Teen USA Are All Black Women

On Sunday, Miss South Africa crown holder, Zozibini Tunzi, won the title of Miss Universe, marking a milestone within the ever-diversifying pageant world. Tunzi’s win makes it the first time ever Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America are all black women. Tunzi is the second South African woman to win the title in three years. She competed against 90 women from six different continents.

As MissUniverse trended on social media Sunday night, many made note of Tunzi win while sporting her natural hair, as part of the fight to end “hair discrimination” in the workplace continues. Miss Universe has described the 26-year-old as “a proud advocate for natural beauty.” When explaining why she should be crowned Miss Universe, Tunzi confidently said in her closing statement, “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me with my color skin and my kind of hair is not considered beautiful.”

Tunzi has overcome many obstacles growing up in South Africa. Forced to withdraw from school as a child, she explained that competing in pageants helped her further her education, eventually going on to earn her bachelor’s degree in public relations. She emphasized the importance of childhood education as well as women’s rights and equality.

The three hour pageant was hosted by Steve Harvey for the fifth year and took place at the Tyler Perry Studio in Atlanta, Georgia.