Fionnghuala O’Reilly: 'I have to speak up for Black women'

In 2019, Fionnghuala O'Reilly made history as Ireland’s first biracial Miss Universe Ireland and the only NASA datanaut to ever compete at Miss Universe. Photo: Jason Flakes
When Pamela Uba was crowned Miss Ireland in September headlines both here and around the world heralded her historic victory. ‘Irish Beauty Pageant History Made’, read one, ‘Ireland’s first Black Miss Ireland’ read many more. And while Pamela’s victory is one to be celebrated there was one woman who was left feeling invisible by the headlines that she was reading and that her family was sending her.