`Woman of Substance' award for Miss Guyana
Guyana Chronicle
February 14, 2002
`This award...is given to women who are not only beautiful, but also intelligent, knowledgeable, charismatic, and true role models and good examples for our world' - President of Global Beauties, Henrique Fontes
MISS Guyana Olive Gopaul most certainly did shine at the Miss World Pageant last November in South Africa, and to add to her recognition as an outstanding representative for Guyana, she has been named South America's Woman of Substance by Global Beauties magazine.

Global Beauties, based in Miami, U.S., is an interactive magazine that covers the most important international beauty contests.

Miss Guyana placed third as the Global Beauties Woman of Substance, behind Miss Costa Rica and Miss Bangladesh.

However, in the Continental awards, she stood out as the winner for South America.

What does the award mean?

"This award in our opinion is one of the most important in our list. It is given to women who are not only beautiful, but also intelligent, knowledgeable, charismatic, and true role models and good examples for our world," President of Global Beauties, Mr. Henrique Fontes told the Chronicle via e-mail.

"In this category, the 222 contestants were judged by our reporters who covered the three major beauty pageants in the world (Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss World). It means that we have spoken to these women and know how much they deserve these awards," Fontes added.

Miss Guyana is to be sent her diploma for being South America's Woman of Substance.

When the Chronicle contacted Gopaul, she was completely unaware of the award.

"I am completely stunned," she said Tuesday.

"As I said when I came back from South Africa, even though I didn't come home with the crown, I still came home a winner in many ways.

"What you're telling me further justifies that I'm a winner," an enthused Gopaul told the Chronicle. (NEIL MARKS)