One of the world’s biggest pageants is the Miss International competition, and with Jamaica’s history in multicultural beauty jousting, there is no wonder, Jamaica has also made entrances there. In 1970, we tried to make the trip to the showpiece that year, and though we never got there, the Miss Jamaica International Model event that year, turned some heads.    

Published Monday, June 1, 1970

Miss International Model crowned

“Miss Jamaica International Model, 1970” is 20-year-old Lillian Gordon, a sales clerk with the vital l statistics, 36:25:36.

She emerged the winner from a pageant of 11 contestants who paraded in white floor-length gowns at the Crowning and coronation ball at Hotel Kingston last Saturday night.

She received her crown and banner from the Acting Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. Mrs. Esme Grant, in the wee hours of Sunday morning when she began her one-year reign.

The ball Saturday night went on its swinging way to music by the Sonny Bradshaw Seven and the Boris Gardener Happening.

At midnight the judges - Miss Yvonne Duncan, Mrs. Sonny Bradshaw, Dr. Seymour Thomas, Norman Taylor and Ed Wallace – came into action as the contestants paraded before them and among the guests and were roundly applauded.

At the end of their difficult task, the compere for the evening, Desmond Elliott, announced the winner who wore the sash of the Bata Shoe Company.

Sharon Jones (Miss Dairy Farmers), 17, a typist who wishes to become a model, was placed second. In third place was Jennifer Cadogan, Miss His ‘N’ Hers, a petite school teacher whose hobby is reading. Miss Regal Furnishing Company, Lorraine Garrick, 19, a receptionist who likes to sew, was fourth.

The model queen and her runners-up received baskets of flowers. In addition, Miss Jamaica International Model will spend 10 days in Panama City by courtesy of Copa Airlines and a week-end for two at Tower Isle Hotel.

The second place winner, Sharon Jones, won a week-end for two at Hilton Hotel; and the third prize of a week-end at Runaway Beach Hotel went to Jennifer Cadogan.

The other contestants were Cynthia Maragh (Miss Miami Stores), Janet Johnson (Miss Hotel Kingston), Winsome Reid (Miss House of Chen), Joy Barrett (Miss Utopian Fashions), Pearl Wright (Miss Hines Rent-a-car), Juliana Foreman (Miss Hi Fashion), and Mortel Vassell (Miss Jamaica Recording and Publishing Studio).

After the crowning the ball went on and patrons won a bonus in the form of songs by the American singer, Jerri Jones.

This is a production independent of The Gleaner Company (Media) Limited's newsroom. For feedback: contact the Digital Integration and Marketing Department at Newsletters@gleanerjm.com