UTCH Virtual

Chocó in English

VANESSA ALEXANDRA MENDOZA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanessa Mendoza is a native of the department of El Choco. She grew up in a small village named Unguía. Mendoza grew up in poverty, and she was one of a group of sixteen siblings.

Mendoza's father died when she was still young, leaving her mother to care for her and her fifteen brothers and sisters. Despite the poor conditions in which her family lived, she showed early interest in becoming a model, and began pursuing that career.

Mendoza became Miss Choco in 2001, a year in which Miss Colombia was facing a racial scandal. She became the first Black Miss Colombia and became popular among Colombians, who gave her the nickname "Black Barbie". Mendoza was the object of an official reception in Cartagena after her victory. At the official welcoming, she declared that she was about representing her race and state. (Wikipedia) 

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