Ana María Palomá, a 23-year-old from Huila, is set to make history as the first Afro-descendant woman to represent her department in the National Beauty Contest. Standing at 1.82 meters, a civil engineering student and folk dancer, she will head to Cartagena for the 91st edition of the event. Her involvement aims to promote diversity and social empowerment.
Ana María Palomá, 23 years old, stands at 1.82 meters and is in her seventh semester of civil engineering at Universidad Surcolombiana. From childhood, she has been a dancer with the Ballet Folclórico Internacional Sonia Gómez, performing on national and international stages to represent Huila's traditions. In 2022, she was crowned Señorita Neiva at the Festival del Bambuco, an experience that prepared her for demanding competitions.
This year, her selection as Señorita Huila was through an internal process by the Corporación de Belleza del Huila, based on resumes and integral capabilities, rather than a traditional casting. As the first Afro-descendant woman to wear Huila's band at the Concurso Nacional de Belleza (CNB), Palomá highlights the symbolism of her participation: "Beyond the title, I want to inspire girls and young women who don't always see themselves reflected in traditional beauty scenarios." She aims to challenge stereotypes and promote the country's plurality, aspiring to bring Huila its first national crown.
The event, the 91st edition, will take place in Cartagena from November 10 to 18, with the coronation on Sunday the 16th. Palomá will depart on Monday the 10th at 8:00 a.m. from Neiva's Benito Salas airport, inviting the Huila community to bid her farewell. Her outfits include an artisanal dress inspired by the department's natural and ecological richness, and a coronation gown reflecting majesty, sobriety, and artistic character.
Socially, she is involved in a foundation supporting children and adults with cancer by providing wigs for chemotherapy patients, boosting self-esteem. She also joins the “Soy Femenina, No Débil” initiative, focused on female empowerment, violence prevention, and support networks. For Palomá, key qualities for Señorita Colombia are charisma, discipline, and empathy: "A national queen must be a spokesperson for realities, a project manager, and a bridge between diverse communities." She emphasizes sorority among candidates, rejecting rivalry.