Education
In New York City, she studied fashion at the Fashion Institute of Technology, but returned to Portuguese of Spain in 1976.
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Janelle Commissiong
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She migrated to the United States at the age of 13, and returned to Trinidad and Tobago ten years later. After winning the Mission Trinidad and Tobago title, she went on to be crowned Mission Universe 1977 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The following year, Commissiong was selected to represent the Island at the 1977 Mission Universe competition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
During her reign, she was an advocate for black rights and world peace.
Three postage stamps were also issued in her honour.
Achievements
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She was elected Mission Photogenic four days before the final, becoming the first black woman to win the award in Mission Universe history. On July 16, in the National Theater of Santo Domingo, Commissiong was crowned Mission Universe, attracting international attention as the first black winner in the chronology of Mission Universe. Commissiong was awarded the Trinity Cross, the country"s highest award, in 1977. She married Brian Bowen, founder of Bowen Marine, who died in an accident in November 1989.
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Born
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Died
November, 1989 (aged 36) -
Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago