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ATLANTA (CNN) – For the first time, the biggest American beauty competitions – Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America – were crowned winners of the black woman's victory.
And it's a big problem if you know the history of contests.
At the beginning of their history, beauty contests, some dating back to the 1920s, prohibited women of color from participating. Even after organizations began to change their rules to accept women of all races, there was persistent frustration and opposition to join.
It is only in the last 50 years that black women have become more present in these competitions. Vanessa Williams was the first Miss Black America in 1983 and Carole Anne-Marie Gist, the first black candidate at Miss USA, was crowned successful in 1990. The following year, Janel Bishop became the first Miss Black US.
So, when Cheslie Kryst was named Miss USA in 2019 on Thursday, she became a member of a historic trio, with 2019 Miss USA USA's Kaliegh Garris and 2019 Miss America's Nia Franklin.
Here's what you need to know about these three women:
Holder of three degrees from two universities, Kryst is a 28-year-old lawyer whose mission is to help reform the American justice system.
Originally from North Carolina, Kryst practices civil litigation for a law firm and is passionate about helping prisoners who may have been sentenced to unfairly get reduced sentences – for free.
Kryst, who is licensed to practice in two states, graduated in law and an MBA from Wake Forest University and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina.
In a video broadcast during this week's competition, Kryst recounted how a judge in a legal competition had suggested he wear a skirt instead of a pair of pants, because judges prefer skirts.
"The glass ceilings can be broken with a skirt or pants," she said. "Do not tell women to wear different clothes while you give men background information about their legal arguments."
Since then, she has created a blog for women's fashion work and volunteered for Dress for Success.
When Garris took the Miss Teen USA stage on Sunday, she did it with confidence by wearing her natural hair.
"I know what I look like with smooth hair, extensions and curly hair, and I feel more comfortable with my natural hair," said the 18-year-old Connecticut man at Refinery29.
When she started competing in contests, Garris said she had to fight against the beauty standards suggesting that straight hair was better than her natural curls.
Some people told her that she thought she should be combing her hair, she said. But she ignored their critics and won the Miss Connecticut Teen USA title with her natural hair and then Miss Teen USA.
Franklin remembers what music did for her. Now she is trying to inspire the children in the same way.
An opera singer, Franklin discovered her identity through music, she explained in the September Miss America contest.
"I grew up in a predominantly Caucasian school and there was only a minority of 5% .I felt so out of place because of the color of my skin," said this native from North Carolina, 23 years old. "But growing up, I found my love for the arts and through the music that helped me to have a positive image of myself and who I was."
Representing New York, Franklin showed his passion for music by playing "Quando m & # 39; from Puccini's Bohemia. Wondering the judges, she was crowned Miss 2019 in America.
Last year, she became an arts lawyer. She works for Sing for Hope, a non-profit organization that aims to help people, including children and artists, through the power of music.
The-CNN-Wire ™ and © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
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