Hei alle sammen!

Last weekend I couldn’t stop refreshing Miss Norway social platforms, in search for an update on who amongst the 120 women would make it to the semifinals. The weekend went by then came Monday, late that evening I got a message saying; ‘It is true, you are a semifinalist in Miss Norway.’ I screamed and did a little victory dance (shaku shaku) before telling some family and friends haha. 

It is safe to say; I am 1 of the 12 beauties who made semifinalists!  Yea na, yea na...

What's next?

I am required to make a presentation video and attend a catwalk training in Oslo. In the meantime, I am going to continue working towards finding sponsors and hopefully get more media coverage. And of course, I will be blogging to keep you all updated. I am definitely looking forward to meeting the rest of the girls soon.

On to being a finalist, we go.

With a grateful heart, I say THANK YOU to every one of you for the endless support through this journey. To the photographers who agreed to work with me and my editors, I appreciate you guys.

Photos: Jørgen Kvam

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Thank you for stopping by.

Love

Winnie Tenne Cooper 

As most people know, March 8, has been dedicated to women over the years. International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change in this male-dominated society and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by women.

Now-, let me share with you some of the ‘’minor’’ things that women go through daily. Things you don’t hear about often.

For instance; a guy got angry at me some time ago, because I told him that my hair should not be touched without him first asking. He said; ‘’it is just hair I don't care.’’ On a different occasion, another guy walked up to me while I was sitting with friends, he took my hand kissed it, put his hand in my hair and walked away.

Some men invade the privacy of women daily, on grounds that the manner in which the female chooses to dance or dress is ‘’asking for it.’’ Is there an unwritten rule that something has to be given in return for a drink that was offered to a woman? 

How does a lady reply to unwanted compliment like; ‘’You are fine, you look exotic?’’ It is said that even mentioning that you are in a relationship or just be nice and reply back with a ‘’hi’’ gives some men more reasons to be predators. However today we celebrate all the times' women have stood up to men like these. 

With all of that women encounter daily, women are still changing the game without a doubt. In regards to being more involved in politics, sports, breaking stereotypes, letting our voices be heard about issues that affect us and so on. As a result, women are being seen and heard. Things are starting to shift for women globally! That is why we celebrate today.  

As today comes to an end, let us women remember to continue to talk about the ‘’minor things’’ as we do ''equal rights.'' The next woman isn’t a competition, and there is power in unity. Don't EVER stay quiet. Your voice is your weapon, USE IT!

Happy International Women Day sistas!! #BalanceForBetter 

Photos: Jørgen Kvam

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With love,

Winnie Tenne Cooper 

Hei alle sammen (everyone). We are halfway to the final.

Up until now, this competition has taught me how to put myself out there instead of hiding and shying away. I am also learning how to market myself. That is a big deal for me because it is something I really need to know. I don’t think I have gotten so much 'no' in my life since this all started, however as they say; 'nothing good comes easy' therefore I’m going to keep trying until I get 'yesses.'

It may seem like an easy competition but everything we are doing counts; from blogging weekly, to getting a media courage, to volunteer work and finding a sponsor. The toughest for me is finding a sponsor, nevertheless, I have found a potential sponsor. By April hopefully, that will be signed and checked. 

I still remember the feeling I had when I read the very first email, welcoming me as a contestant. I was over the moon, to say the least! I'm super grateful for this opportunity and what I have learned so far. I'm looking forward to greater things to come. 

If you ever thought about competing in this pageant or any other pageant for that matter, I say DO IT. 

1. You won't regret it.

2. It challenges you in a good way.

3. It helps boost your confidence even more.

We are a few days away from knowing who out of 20 contestants will make (or not make) the semifinal. I am keeping my fingers crossed as we wait, more focused and ready to work for this crown. 

Thank you all for the support, generally. I appreciate you! 

Like always, thank you for stopping by.

With love, 

Winnie Tenne Cooper

Hei everyone! Hope you all are well.

                          Photo: John Arvid Johnsen 

 Today March 1st, is Zero Discrimination Day globally.

The day is aimed at calling on people worldwide to affirm and reaffirm the right to live a life free of stigma or discrimination and the right to equality, respect and dignity irrespective of ones gender, race, sexual orientation, age, profession, beliefs, weight, disability, ethnicity, education, nationality, height, skin color and etc.  

The United Nations first celebrated Zero Discrimination Day on March 1, 2014 after UNAIDS, a UN program on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), launched its Zero Discrimination Campaign on World AIDS Day in December 2013.

‘’Discrimination’’ refers to the selective practice of unfairly treating a person or a group of people differently than others due to multiple factors such as religion, gender, race, sexuality, age and disability amongst others’’.

Despite laws and education, discrimination continues to be a widespread problem throughout the world.

Here are some facts about discrimination:

• Globally, there are almost 80 countries that still have laws criminalizing same-sex sexual relations or marriages.

• About 38 countries worldwide impose some forms of restrictions on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV. They are cast out from their own communities; living desolate and lonely lives. Even hospitals are hesitant in admitting and tending to patients with HIV/AIDS. People avoid any kind of physical contact with the infected and these patients don’t have access to basic medical assistance.

• In a 2016 study conducted in the U.S. by the Pew Research Center, 61% of Americans believed that there was still progress to be made so that blacks had the same rights as whites. We read about how blacks are being treated in the U.S daily, on the news or social media.

• Few countries practice ‘’Sharia’’ as a legitimate law for the death penalty for homosexuality.

• 64% of patients suffering from mental disorder have experienced discrimination.

• 65% of transsexual persons have reported unfriendly interactions in the health sector; refraining them from seeking health advice or facilities.

• In some countries women are lagging behind men in the fields of education, employment or social status. They are underpaid and in many communities are not allowed to make major family decisions.

• In many countries, laws are the direct result of people being treated differently, excluded from essential services or being subject to undue restrictions on how they live their lives, simply because of who they are. Such laws are discriminatory—they are denied human rights and fundamental freedoms.

  Source: Google  

• 

Ending discrimination and changing laws is the responsibility of us all. Everyone can play a part in ending discrimination and can try to make a difference, in ways both big and small.

The Zero Discrimination Day 2019 Campaign challenges us to act against laws or people that discriminate in our country on a daily basis. Say something when a coworker is being discriminated or when a friend is being discrminated by another friend. Instead of saying ‘it’s just a joke,’’ I urged you all that if you hear something, do something; no matter who it is.

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 Happy New Month and have a blessed day! 

Winnie Tenne Cooper 

Hello everyone!

It’s about time I tell you guys a little more about me.

1. I was given four names at birth but I use just one right now. Tenne, which is my middle name. I was born and raised in West Africa Liberia (For those who don't already know). I moved to Norway in 2011 along with some of my siblings, 3 girls and two boys.                                      
2. I don't like mushrooms, pickles, carrot, or broccoli. 

3. I love reading I don’t have a specific genre that I like more tho.

4. I am a Christian, member of Betel Trondheim International Choir/Worship team.

5. I am 174 cm (5 ft 8 inch) tall.

                                                                               Photo by: John Arvid Johnsen 

6. At the age of five, I took part in my first pageant at school and I won. That was how I got interested in pageantry.

7. I am an aspiring model. It all started as a hobby, then I fell in love with being in front of a camera. It feels amazing being on a runway!

8. I like to think of myself as a writer, sometimes. I have a personal blog that I usually post my thoughts, but it is on hold for a while because of the pageant.

9. I love head wraps. If you don’t know what it is don’t worry, a post will come later.

          Photo by: Kristine Wathne

10. Food, sleep, and heels are LIFE! Yeap you read right. Skinny girls eat a LOT.

11. I have a thing for makeup but I am super lazy when it comes to doing makeup daily. That is why I am not securing the bag from it yet.

12. I find art and history fascinating. I am the girl who ends up in a gallery, a museum or a library on a vacation.

13. My favorite season is summer! 

14. I am from a really big family. 

15. I don’t picture marriage as the ‘’ultimate goal’’ like society says it should be.

16. My favorite color has been blue for a while now (don’t even remember what it used to be), but I barely own anything blue. 

17. I have a mark on my forehead, that you are probably going to notice now that I have mentioned it. I got it from hitting my head against a wall TWICE in the SAME spot.

                                                                                  Photo by: John Arvid Johnsen 

18. I think I am an introvert.

19. I could eat peanut butter with anything. 

20. I am PROUDLY AFRICAN! I could rock my afro and African print at ANY event. 

Bonus: I used to think that I wasn't allergic to anything, but I am. Sadly, I haven't figure out what it is yet because I found out when I came back from a vacation last summer.

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Winnie Tenne Cooper