IN PICS: Meet First Transgender Woman to Compete In Miss Universe Pageant

She will now represent her country at the worldwide event, which is expected to be held this year. (IMAGE: AP)

“There are many other countries where the law does not protect them, so I think it is important that I say 'Here I am'. and that I form a part of the diversity of what it means to be a woman, and that I have the same rights as all. (IMAGE: AP)

Angela Ponce says I think that this is something that is going to create - regardless of the final - the end of an era and the start of something new not only in the history of Miss Universe and beauty contests but in many countries' views of transgender women.” (IMAGE: AP)

Back then she lost out on the title to Miss Barcelona Mireia Lalaguna Royo. (IMAGE: AP)

Previously Ponce made her first big appearance on the pageant scene in 2015 at the Miss World Spain contest representing Cadiz. (IMAGE: AP)

She will be benefiting from a rule change introduced by Donald Trump six years ago. (IMAGE: AP)

The 26-year-old Angela says that whether she wins the beauty title or not, she wants to make history as a role model for trans children around the globe. (IMAGE: Instagram/ angelaponceofficial)

She qualifyed for the global round of the contest that has only allowed transgender women to participate since 2012. (IMAGE: AP)

Ponce beat 20 other contestants in the Miss Universe Spain gala on June 29. (IMAGE: AP)

Angela Ponce became the first transgender woman to compete in the global Miss Universe pageant. (IMAGE: Instagram/ angelaponceofficial)