Beauties on parade: Our beautiful island extends beyond its physical landscape
The diversity of our beautiful island extends beyond its physical landscape to the people who embody its spirit and culture. These individuals include our beauty queens who have charmed the world with their elegance, intelligence, beauty and talent. On more than one occasion they have been crowned Miss World and have put the small island of Jamaica on top of the world.
In 1963, months after independence, Jamaica announced its arrival in a big way when 20-year-old Carole Joan Crawford won the first Miss World title for the country. Being the first woman of colour to win the crown, Crawford brought great pride to Jamaica and ignited a huge celebration. Upon her return home, she was greeted with a colorful civic reception at the Ward Theatre, where she was presented with the golden key to the city of Kingston. Crawford’s win also inspired the Jamaican government to issue millions of commemorative stamps featuring her in her swimsuit.
This was just the beginning for Jamaica, as an independent country, and for her first world ambassador. Months after the historic win, Crawford’s picture was used on a beauty soap - Mildex - wrapper. This was the first time that a Miss World had appeared on the wrapper of a leading beauty soap.
Thirteen years later, a Jamaican beauty struck again when Cindy Breakspeare copped the coveted Miss World title in 1976. To this day, she is not only grateful for the win, but also for the opportunity to have represented her country.
“If I had my life to live over, it certainly would be a part of it - to travel the world and represent Jamaica. To be competing in an event with over 100 young women from all over the world was really quite a life-changing experience. Women stepped out in their fabulous costumes and there I was in my little bandana skirt, peasant blouse and straw hat. It was nothing spectacular, but just the idea that though Jamaica is a tiny nation, we could take our place in an event such as that, and have a year where we can make our mark on the world, it was a wonderful accomplishment,” she told The Gleaner.
Following Crawford's success, Jamaica's Sandra Cunningham was second runner-up in the Miss World competition in 1981, Catherine (Cathy) Levy was third runner-up in 1983, and Sandra Foster was third runner-up again in 1991.
In 1993, Jamaica celebrated another glorious win when 18-year-old Lisa Hanna competed against 80 other beauties from across the globe, but impressed the judges with her dancing and singing abilities. Hanna's charming, exuberant personality not only captured the hearts of the judges and the crowd, but also hearts belonging to Jamaicans across the World.
Since its 55 years of independence, Jamaica has continued to produce some of the world’s most charming beauties who have showcased the island's strength and perseverance.
“When you look at the size of Jamaica, and that we are one of the top-five Miss World titleholders, it’s really something special,” Breakspeare expressed.
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