Despite a long history of segregation and racism, America’s top pageants have broken racial barriers in recent decades.

Vanessa Williams became the first black woman to win the Miss America title in 1984.

Carole Gist won Miss USA in 1990.

Last week, for the first time, black women wore the crowns of all three major pageants simultaneously.

Cheslie Kryst, 28, won the Miss USA contest, and Kaliegh Garris, 18, won Miss Teen USA.