Raissa Santana Was Crowned Miss Brazil And Is Only The Second Black Woman To Do So

Last weekend Raissa Santana became the second black woman to be crowned Miss Brazil in a pageant history of over 60 years.

We have discussed countless of times how hard it is for women in Brazil who are Latina by birth, but who have darker skin due to their African heritage to be included in mainstream beauty standards.

With the rise of the natural hair community and a vital natural hair industry to support it women all over the world have been placed at the forefront of beauty campaigns changing the look of what has been typical of years past.

Raissa Santana is proof that things are changing, to be frank the last time a black woman won Miss Brazil was back in 1986 with Deise Nunes pictured below:

Santana, said this of her victory;

“I’m very emotional. This here is a mixture of great emotions. I didn’t expect to win this title, but I am very happy to have won this title and to represent black beauty and encourage girls who have the dream of having something, to conquer, to be a model, to be a Miss…now I want to encourage these girls and show them that they can.”