Miss Trinidad and Tobago 1977, Miss Universe Dominican Republic 1977, twenty-four years old, graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology NYC, five feet five inches tall, fondly called Penny won the coveted crown of Miss Universe Pageant 1977. She also won Miss Photogenic of that Pageant. She beat eighty other contestants to wear the crown.

Dionne Warwick, a singer was one of the judges at the pageant. She burst into tears when Janelle was announced winner. She said she felt as if she was the one who won. Another judge, a photographer Gordon Parks, described her as a classical African beauty.

She put her country Trinidad and Tobago on the map with this prestigious win.

After she won Miss Universe, three postage stamps were issued in her honour. In 2017, a street in the capital of Port Spain was named after her to honour her iconic win in 1977. She was a public advocate for black rights and world peace during her reign.

Janelle is a national treasure, model, business woman and a politician.

Janelle Commissiong is also celebrated as one of the best Miss Universe winners of all time.

Ageless, stunning beauty. Janelle “Penny” Commissiong.