WHEN we talk of divas, we customarily associate the word with classical ladies of high fashion and very stunning appearance, who indeed command attention wherever they go, and rate high points in the fashion world.Sometimes, we also associate the word with intense glitz and glamour, irresistible allure, and a distinct talent for pulling out all the stoplights in their areas of specific interests.
Just recently, I embarked on a quest to find a true Guyanese diva; one who possesses both beauty and brains; is gifted with a balanced personality, and also possesed of positive morals.
During my search, I met dozens of dazzling damsels, but none could represent all the attributes I was looking for in one package.
But just as I was about ready to give up in frustration, I remembered the likeable Negla Brandis, who has practically stood out in everything that she did or promoted. And my instincts told me that she is the woman I was looking for.

TALKING PAGEANTRY
She was more than ready to be featured on our pages. During an exclusive interview, I realised that she did not only have the traits we were seeking, but was ready to share much from her extensive experience in pageantry.
Being the franchise holder of the Miss Renaissance Pageant for mature women, she skilfully detailed what it entails to promote a good pageant and to make it a success.
“Pageantry is serious business, and should never be a rushed process,” she said. “Ever so often, we fail to shine at both local and international pageants because our girls are not properly trained or given the much needed exposure and training.
“With my pageants, my girls are trained for quite a while in areas of poise, grace, speech, etiquette, and all the other relative ‘must dos’ that guarantees their eventual success..
“Proper preparation is a main factor when preparing our girls if we ever intend to stand out as beauty ambassadors. Besides, effective screening of potential candidates is of vital importance to a successful pageant.”
I was amazed to find out also that, to date, this very sophisticated and fashionable lady holds the position of Executive Director of the Miss Renaissance Pageant, and has the overall responsibility for hosting this prestigious pageant for mature women from 2003.
Moreover, Ms Negla Brandis was the former coordinator of the Miss Guyana-New York Pageant from 1990 to 1999.

MEDICAL BACKGROUND
This Guyanese-born fashion icon is a phenomenal woman with lots of talent and skills. She received professional nursing training in London, and completed her midwifery training at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinborough, Scotland.
She qualified as a Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RMN), and State Certified Midwife (SCM) while in the United Kingdom. From the UK, she moved to the USA, where she continued her higher education, receiving her BSc. (Hons) in Health Administration from the St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York, and MSc. in Health Education from Teachers’ College of Columbia University.
Negla, who delights in shocking viewers and dropping jaws with her riveting fashion ideas, has been a nursing leader in the USA for over 20 years in roles as Nurse Manager (Supervisor), In-Service Coordinator/Health Educator in hospitals as well as long-term care facilities (nursing homes).
Her exploits in this arena and superb mentoring skills have allowed her to upgrade Nursing Assistants to multi-purpose care providers at York College, New York.
Though it was challenging, her enterprising personality later had her involved in HIV Care and Treatment in the early stages of the virus discovery.

STYLE DAYS
Negla has always been concerned about the health systems and welfare of senior citizens in Guyana, and returned annually during the 90s to host her fundraiser, dubbed ‘STYLE’, which she used as a fashion vehicle to garner much needed revenue for her many projects. ‘STYLE’ raised the bar of Guyanese fashion significantly, and must have provided clues for budding fashion enthusiasts to work with.
Ms. Brandis has also held the franchise for the Miss Guyana Queen of Queens International Pageant, and is the recipient of several awards and citations which includes the Medal of Service (MS) in 1989, for her numerous contributions to Healthcare in Guyana. She also offers services as a Special Event Planner, Pageant Consultant, Health Educator and Senior Care Specialist at home and abroad.
Her workshops, ‘How to Produce a Pageants of Quality’, were fantastic, and should be used as stepping stones to perfection for many of the so-called pageant promoters who have sprung up around Guyana.
The Chronicle is more than elated to present Ms. Negla Brandis as a woman of substance and strength. She is indeed a diva with a positive difference.