Miss Universe 2023: who was Mary Wollstonecraft, and why's she trending?

At a glamorous event held in El Salvador on November 19, Sheynnis Palacios sealed her place in history by becoming the first-ever Miss Universe from Nicaragua.

The 23-year-old clinched the title with the final answer that paid tribute to 18th-century British writer, philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft regarded as fierce champion of women's rights.

Wollstonecraft is popular for her contributions to feminist philosophy as her ideas laid the foundation for modern feminism, challenged prevailing social norms and arguments in favour of women to be given the same educational opportunities as men.

Wollstonecraft lived a short life as she died at the age of 38, shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, who later became Mary Shelley and is famous as the author of 'Frankenstein'.

The question Palacios was asked at the event was, 'If you could live one year in another woman’s shoes, who would you choose and why?'

She responded by saying, 'I would choose Mary Wollstonecraft because she opened the gap and gave an opportunity to many women. And what I would do, I would want that income gap to open up so women could work. In any area, they choose to work in because there are no limitations for women. That was 1750. Now in 2023, we are making history'.