Miss Venezuela won the 2009 Miss Universe crown today. Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, won for Venezuela for the country’s second straight year and the sixth time ever.

Miss Venezuela wins 2009 Miss Universe.

Venezuela’s 18-year-old Fernandez beat runner-up Miss Dominican Republic and the other finalists Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia, and Miss Puerto Rico.

Stefania Fernandez, when interviewed, had this to say about the title of Miss Venezuela and the country’s success in Miss Universe:

“What do we Venezuelans have? That we are ourselves.”

What impressed judges abotu Miss Venezuela is her answer about the obstacles that women have overcome, like the proverbial glass ceiling:

“I feel we have reached the level that men are at.”

The other ten finalists came from the following countries:

1. Iceland

2. Albania

3. Czech Republic

4. Belgium

5. Sweden

6. France

7. Switzerland

8. South Africa

9. USA

10. Croatia

The Miss Universe Special Awards were awarded to Miss China for Miss Congeniality and Miss Thailand for Miss Photogenic.