Ruth Ocumárez

Ruth Amelia Ocumárez y Apataño (born 10 December 1981 in Santo Domingo) is a Dominican actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Ocumárez became a celebrity in her nation by becoming the first woman of predominantly African heritage to represent the Dominican Republic at Miss Universe.

Due to her dark complexion and “bubbly” personality, she was given the nickname "La Diosa de Ébano" (English: The Ebony Goddess) by the Dominican public and press along with the general expectation of assured placement on coronation night.

The award of Ruth Ocumarez At the height of Miss Universe 2002 pageant, Ocumárez was predicted by many to be place as a semi-finalist.

To the great surprise of many pageant connoisseurs, Ocumarez did not place, causing many internet bloggers to coin the pageant term the Ruth Ocumárez Award to signify a pageant contestant who seems guaranteed to be a finalist, but didn't make the maximum entry at the initial placement selections of the pageant.