Pamela Uba
Born28 November 1995
South Africa
NationalityIrish[1]
Occupation(s)Scientist, model, Miss Ireland
Known forfirst black woman chosen to represent Ireland for the Miss World competition (2021)

Pamela Uba is an Nigerian-Irish scientist and model. She grew up in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo.[2][1] As Miss Ireland 2021, she was selected to represent Ireland in the Miss World 2021 beauty pageant.[3][4] Uba is the first black woman to win the Miss Ireland competition and represent Ireland for the Miss World competition.

Background

Pamela Uba was born in 1995 in South Africa to Nigerian parents.[5][6] She moved from Johannesburg to Ireland with her family as an asylum seeker when she was 8 years old.[7][8] Uba spent 10 years in direct provision. She has since raised money for educational support for children in direct provision.[4] Uba played Gaelic football as a centre back. She is a Gaelic Athletic Association fan, supporting her home county of Mayo.[3][9][10][11] Singing is one of her passions and Uba has sung in numerous competitions including teen idol Dublin while recently recording two cover songs as part of her talent pieces for Miss World.

Career

Uba earned her undergraduate degree in medical science at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, before graduating with a Master's degree in clinical chemistry from Trinity College Dublin.[1] She works as a medical scientist at University Hospital Galway.[3][9][4]

Modelling and pageant title

In 2019, Uba won the Ladies Day prize at the Galway Races. In 2021, Uba won the Miss Ireland title. The 26 year old Miss Galway claimed the national title ahead of 29 other contestants at the Miss Ireland final, which took place in Cavan. She was crowned by three former titleholders. Uba is the first black woman to represent Ireland for the Miss World competition. After winning the Miss Ireland title Uba was "trollled and bullied online", but was also "overwhelmed with the support" of most people.[12] Having herself grown up in direct provision, in October 2021 she became an ambassador for Dídean, "a social enterprise which provides alternative housing for residents in Direct Provision".[12]

Uba works as a part-time model (as well as working as a medical scientist at University Hospital Galway).[3][4][10][13][14][1] Uba finished in the top 40 of the Miss World 2021 competition.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Murphy, Stephen (9 September 2021). "Pamela Uba: First black Miss World Ireland reveals she's suffered racism and bullying since win". Sky News. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Three Mayo Misses crowned with glory at Miss World Ireland 2021". The Connaught Telegraph. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d O'Loughlin, Ciara (7 September 2021). "Frontline worker and former direct provision resident Pamela is first black Miss Ireland". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d McGlynn, Michelle (7 September 2021). "From direct provision to frontline worker to Miss Ireland: Pamela Uba is a role model for all". Irish Examiner.
  5. ^ Brennan, Martha (9 September 2021). "Miss Ireland Pamela Uba: 'The direct provision system needs to be revamped'". Irish Examiner.
  6. ^ "Pamela Uba went from Hillbrow resident — to Miss Ireland". TimesLIVE.
  7. ^ "From SA to Ireland: Pam Uba makes history as first black Miss Ireland". The South African. 9 September 2021.
  8. ^ Noyen, Maria. "A Black woman was crowned Miss Ireland for the first time in the pageant's 74-year history". Insider.
  9. ^ a b Ingle, Róisín. "Miss Ireland 2021: 'I am so grateful I can show girls that colour does not hold you back'". The Irish Times.
  10. ^ a b "Pamela Uba makes history as the first Black Miss Ireland". Her.ie.
  11. ^ Quann, Jack. "Pamela Uba, ex-direct provision resident, crowned first black Miss Ireland". Newstalk.
  12. ^ a b Okoh, Joseph (14 October 2021). "History-making Miss Ireland proud to 'pave the way'". RTE News. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Galway's Pamela Uba crowned Miss Ireland". Midwest Radio.
  14. ^ Brent, Harry. "First ever black winner of Miss Ireland has been crowned". The Irish Post.
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