Miss Thuzar Wint Lwin, Miss Universe Myanmar, won the national costume contest at Miss Universe on Sunday, May 16.

Lwin held up a "Pray for Myanmar" sign during the event, using the platform to criticise her country's military coup and support the pro-democracy movement.

“They are killing our people like animals,” she said in an interview before leaving Myanmar for the competition. “Where is humanity? Please help us. We are helpless here.”

When she was young

Ma Thuzar Wint Lwin used to watch the Miss Universe pageant during her younger days. She dreamt that one day she would be able to be onstage representing Myanmar.

She battled with cancer.

As a young adult, she found lumps in both sides of her breast. It was becoming cancer, and her doctors advised her to remove the lumps immediately. She did it without hesitations. The surgery was a success, but it left her with permanent scars. She was 19 at that time. 

"I felt empowered by the scar", Lwin posted on her Facebook page. "These scars of mine is a reminder that I have survived, and I was conscious about what was happening with my body." 

"That's why my advocacy as Miss Universe Myanmar is to raise awareness about breast cancer and body consciousness."

Image source via Facebook/Miss Universe Myanmar

During the military coup

In the early weeks of the protest against the military coup, Lwin also joined the demonstrations. She also donated her savings to families whose loved ones were killed, according to New York Times.

She often uses her social media platform to call on the release of the country's leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to raise awareness of the military's violence. 

The military’s onslaught has left the country living in fear, she said.

During the Miss University pageant

When Thuzar Wint Lwin first arrived in Florida on May 7, her suitcase with her outfits for the competition had been lost by the airline. 

The pageant organisers help her with her gowns while other contestants were lending her their clothes. 

People from Myanmar who live in the States provided her with a replacement of ethnic chin costume, where she had won the best national costume contest.

What's next for Thuzar Wint Lwin?

Thuzar Wint Lwin believes that it will not be safe for her to return to Myanmar after speaking out against the regime. She still does not know where she will go after the pageant ends.

She was an English major at East Yangon University. 

Instead of the typical Miss Universe pageant autobiographical video. She uses the platform to raise awareness against the violence in Myanmar. It shows her wearing formal gowns mixed in with the scenes of a soldier shooting a man and other violence happening in Myanmar. 

We want to take this opportunity to congratulate Lwin for winning the National Costume awards and applaud her for her bravery.

Other patriots also sacrificed themselves to protest against the military coup.