Winfred Adah Omwakwe
Encyclopedia
Winfred Adah Omwakwe is the first black
representative and first from the African
region to hold the Miss Earth
title. She is also the first woman from Kenya
to hold a major international beauty pageant title when she formally succeeded Džejla Glavović
of Bosnia & Herzegovina as Miss Earth 2002
. Glavović was stripped of her title for failing to fulfill her duties.
Omwakwe belongs to the Luhya tribe which is one of the biggest among Kenya’s 42 tribes.
"Winnie", as she is more popularly called, graduated from the Institute of Health Care Management in Kenya, where she received a physiotherapy certificate. She comes from Nairobi
and stands 5 in 9 in (175.26 cm).
She was also a finalist in Miss Universe Kenya 2001, but was unable to capture the title. She later came in second in the Miss Tourism Kenya pageant and flew to Manila
to represent her country at the Miss Earth pageant.
, Philippines
on October 29, 2002. Džejla Glavović of Bosnia-Herzegovina won the Miss Earth 2002 title and Omwakwe as the first runner-up.
Miss Earth is the first international beauty contest Omwakwe ever participated. After the pageant, she went to Canada
for a vacation and to look for a school where she can take up a nursing degree
.
On May 28, 2003, Carousel Productions
, the organization that produces Miss Earth beauty pageant, officially dethroned Glavović "due to her failure to comply with the stipulations in her contract." First runner-up Omwakwe took over the position of Miss Earth 2002. She was formally crowned as the new Miss Earth 2002 on August 7, 2003 at the Carousel Gardens in Mandaluyong City
, Philippines.
In a press conference, she was asked on her reaction to being the new Miss Earth and she replied: "I was stunned and couldn’t believe it. But then I saw the congratulatory messages in my e-mail and I received calls from all over. That’s when I was convinced it wasn’t a hoax."
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
representative and first from the African
African people
African people refers to natives, inhabitants, or citizen of Africa and to people of African descent.-Etymology:Many etymological hypotheses that have been postulated for the ancient name "Africa":...
region to hold the Miss Earth
Miss Earth
Miss Earth is an annual international beauty pageant promoting environmental awareness. Miss Earth is also one of the most publicized beauty contests in the world....
title. She is also the first woman from Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
to hold a major international beauty pageant title when she formally succeeded Džejla Glavović
Džejla Glavovic
Džejla Glavović is an international beauty queen and a Bosnian fashion model. She was crowned in the Philippines as the second Miss Earth representing her country Bosnia and Herzegovina and became the first Bosnian woman to win a major international title in beauty contest.-Miss Earth...
of Bosnia & Herzegovina as Miss Earth 2002
Miss Earth 2002
Miss Earth 2002, the second edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held in Quezon City, Philippines on October 29, 2002. In its second year, 53 delegates participated, exceeding the number of contestants in Miss International 2002, thereby becoming the world's third biggest international pageant...
. Glavović was stripped of her title for failing to fulfill her duties.
Early life
Omwakwe's parents died when she was young—her father when she was 10 followed by her mother when she was 12. She is the youngest in a sibling of three. Her brother, the eldest, is a lawyer, who is in cargo handling. Her sister is also a lawyer. It was her older brother and older sister who acted as her surrogate parents.Omwakwe belongs to the Luhya tribe which is one of the biggest among Kenya’s 42 tribes.
"Winnie", as she is more popularly called, graduated from the Institute of Health Care Management in Kenya, where she received a physiotherapy certificate. She comes from Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
and stands 5 in 9 in (175.26 cm).
She was also a finalist in Miss Universe Kenya 2001, but was unable to capture the title. She later came in second in the Miss Tourism Kenya pageant and flew to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
to represent her country at the Miss Earth pageant.
Miss Earth 2002
Omwakwe, 21, became her country’s representative to the Miss Earth contest, after she finished as one of the winners in the 2002 Miss Tourism World Kenya pageant. She participated in the second edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, which was held in Quezon CityQuezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
on October 29, 2002. Džejla Glavović of Bosnia-Herzegovina won the Miss Earth 2002 title and Omwakwe as the first runner-up.
Miss Earth is the first international beauty contest Omwakwe ever participated. After the pageant, she went to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
for a vacation and to look for a school where she can take up a nursing degree
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
.
On May 28, 2003, Carousel Productions
Carousel Productions
Carousel Productions Inc. is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Earth and Miss Philippines Earth beauty contests. The annual events are produced in partnership with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. The organization is based in the Philippines.-History:Carousel Productions...
, the organization that produces Miss Earth beauty pageant, officially dethroned Glavović "due to her failure to comply with the stipulations in her contract." First runner-up Omwakwe took over the position of Miss Earth 2002. She was formally crowned as the new Miss Earth 2002 on August 7, 2003 at the Carousel Gardens in Mandaluyong City
Mandaluyong City
The City of Mandaluyong is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the west by the country's capital, Manila, to the north by San Juan City, to the east by Quezon City and Pasig City, and by Makati City to the south...
, Philippines.
In a press conference, she was asked on her reaction to being the new Miss Earth and she replied: "I was stunned and couldn’t believe it. But then I saw the congratulatory messages in my e-mail and I received calls from all over. That’s when I was convinced it wasn’t a hoax."