Miss Universe 1977 Crowning

The other black contestants was so happy for her! First time a black women won Miss Universe

She wasn't even at the height of her beauty here, she became more beautiful as she got older. But she was always full of grace and charm.

I was not born when Miss Jenelle won the title but we learnt about in school well the school that I attended. She truly made Trinidad proud. Trinbagonians are beautiful people inside and out and I'm proud to be one. Miss Jenelle got even more beautiful as she aged. She's more stunning than when she was won the crown.

beautiful black girl...and who cares she is black. She won because she was the best.

Miss Austria was already celebrating when the flower lady informed her she didn't.

One of the all time best moments in Miss U history. The shear joy of the black contestants in the background is heartwarming. Janelle was a beautiful and deserving winner!

the first black woman to win ms.universe wow <3 

what a beautiful woman she is.. One of the most Beautiful miss universe of all time

I am an African-American male, and I was 15 or 16 at that time and watched the show live. I was very, very, very happy and proud of Ms. Trinidad! My mother and I looked at each other smiling because we had predicted that Ms. Trinidad would win. However, I do not think that it is fair for individuals to assume that Ms. Austria was racist. It was very rare during that time for a Black Woman to win these types of titles...I actually think that Ms. Austria  threw up her hand because she knew that she had lost and was probably happy for Ms. Trinidad! Why do people always choose to side with thinking the worst and negative thoughts? These pageants are very tough, and I do think that most of these women are happy for the ones that do win. And actually, these women at that time were extremely classy and tasteful in how they presented themselves!

They couldn't have given the Crown to a better contestant. What most people don't know is back then the photographers used to ignore the girls from the Caribbean, because they were not pretty enough and they didn't fit in to the white man standard of beauty. That year when Penny won Miss BERMUDA" Connie Firth" decided enough is enough and she got Penny and the rest of the other girls from the Caribbean and they decided that they will not participate in the pageant because of Prejudice towards them, of course the Organizers of the Pageant got scared of the scandal it will cause and the negative publicity because the girls from the island were there to make up numbers. When Penny was crowned Miss Universe 1977, she said in an interview, she give "THANKS TO MISS BERMUDA" for getting the girls together to stand up against Discrimination. Many people may have forgotten about this but that's what the black girls endured back in the day but didn't have the courage to do so, until 1977. SO as I tip my hat off to the gorgeous Janelle Penny Commissiong, I also have to give a very special thank you to Miss BERMUDA " Connie Firth"for taking that firm stand so our Beautiful Penny came shining through. Thank you ladies.

I never get tired of looking at the beautiful woman.

I was seven years old at the time. I was like “Momma! She’s black”. It was a big deal at the time. Face of an Angel.

Miss Trinidad was gorgeous.

One of the most important Miss Universe moments ever! What a lovely win.

Beautiful She has the face of an angel , One of the most beautiful Miss Universe of all time

one of the most beautiful black woman to ever win the crown.

One of the most beautiful Miss Universe 👌

The prettiest Miss Universe ever!!! I remember when she won.  I was so happy for her.

And after so many years she is still beautiful to this very day...amazing!

So angelic and beautiful...