“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me—with my kind of skin and my kind of hair—was never considered to be beautiful. I think it is time that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face, and I want them to see their faces reflected in mine.”
Those were the words projected from the lips of Zozibini Tunzi, the newly crowned Miss Universe, 2019. The 26-year-old is the second South African to win the title in three years and the first black woman to win since 2011.
Throughout the Sunday night pageant, Tunzi represented her country and heritage with pride. She also highlighted the importance of education in children’s lives and empowering young women through inner confidence. She told the crowd at the Oprah Winfrey Soundstage that she was forced to withdraw from school in her childhood because her family could no longer afford to send her. Through this financially turbulent time, Tunzi persevered and her pageants allowed her to channel a sense of optimism. Tunzi eventually worked her way back into school and earned a college degree.
Prior to being crowned Miss South Africa, Tunzi earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and was working on a graduate degree while an intern at advertising and marketing agency Ogilvy.
“It’s about continuing to break boundaries that we have been told we can’t,” Tunzi said at a post-pageant conference. This seems to be a consistent theme shining through not only her confident presence, but her vocalized thoughts as well.
Courtesy: Flipboard
In her final question, Tunzi was asked what we should be teaching young girls today. Her answer was leadership. “It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time—not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labeled women to be,” Tunzi explained.
Zozibini Tunzi is a breath of fresh air in an atmosphere long overdue for change. She shines a light on authenticity and rawness in a critical time where many people view these attributes as flaws instead of unique perfections. Most importantly, she is the hand of hope and opportunity that young women around the globe now have readily extended to them.
Tunzi’s win now makes it the first time in history that Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America are all women of color.
Courtesy: News 365
In an Instagram post, Tunzi noted, “May every little girl who witnessed this moment forever believe in the power of her dreams”
Miss Universe 2019 stands as effervescent beauty in its most natural, graceful and unapologetic state. The crown is lucky to sit atop her head.
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