Miss Afghanistan 2003 - Vida Samadzai Miss Earth 2003 Beauty for a Cause Winner
Members of the press in India posing for a photo with Miss Afghanistan Vida Samadzai
As the first Afghan woman to participate in an international beauty pageant since 1974, her appearance in a red bikini in the 2003 Miss Earth pageant created controversy in her native country.
Samadzai, an ethnic Pashtun, was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, and moved to the U.S. in 1996. She is a student at California State University, Fullerton. Samadzai said her participation in the contest sent out a powerful message to her fellow countrywomen. Samadzai also helped found a US-based women's charity that seeks to raise awareness of women's rights and education in the Afghanistan.(WE)
John Soul, WE
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