Janelle Commissiong
Encyclopedia
Janelle Commissiong was born in Trinidad and Tobago
. Commissiong migrated to the United States
at the age of 13, and returned to Trinidad and Tobago
ten years later. After winning the Miss Trinidad and Tobago
title, she went on to be crowned Miss Universe 1977 in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
.
In New York City
, she studied fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology
, but returned to Port of Spain in 1976. The following year, Commissiong had been selected to represent the Island at the 1977 Miss Universe competition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
She was elected Miss Photogenic four days before the final, becoming the second black woman to win the award in Miss Universe history. On July 16, in the National Theater of Santo Domingo, Commissiong was crowned Miss Universe, attracting international attention as the first black winner in the chronology of Miss Universe.
During her reign, she was an advocate for black rights and world peace. Commissiong was awarded the Trinity Cross
, the country's highest award
, in 1977. Three postage stamp
s were also issued in her honour.
She married Brian Bowen, founder of Bowen Marine, who died in an accident in November 1989. After his death, she married businessman Alwin Chow.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
. Commissiong migrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the age of 13, and returned to Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
ten years later. After winning the Miss Trinidad and Tobago
Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe
The Miss Trinidad and Tobago Universe beauty pageant has been held annually since 1963 a year after its independence from the United Kingdom. The contest is meant to select a suitable delegate from both islands to compete in the Miss Universe pageant....
title, she went on to be crowned Miss Universe 1977 in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
.
In New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, she studied fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology
Fashion Institute of Technology
The Fashion Institute of Technology, generally known as FIT, is a State University of New York college of art, business, design, and technology connected to the fashion industry, with an urban campus located on West 27th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of...
, but returned to Port of Spain in 1976. The following year, Commissiong had been selected to represent the Island at the 1977 Miss Universe competition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
She was elected Miss Photogenic four days before the final, becoming the second black woman to win the award in Miss Universe history. On July 16, in the National Theater of Santo Domingo, Commissiong was crowned Miss Universe, attracting international attention as the first black winner in the chronology of Miss Universe.
During her reign, she was an advocate for black rights and world peace. Commissiong was awarded the Trinity Cross
Trinity Cross
The Trinity Cross was the highest of the National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago, between the years 1969– 2008. It was awarded for: distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago...
, the country's highest award
National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago
The National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago consist of:* The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - the country's highest award.* The Chaconia Medal of the Order of the Trinity - in Gold, Silver or Bronze...
, in 1977. Three postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s were also issued in her honour.
She married Brian Bowen, founder of Bowen Marine, who died in an accident in November 1989. After his death, she married businessman Alwin Chow.