Helen Williams (model)

Helen Marie Williams Jackson (née Helen Williams, September 16, 1935 – July 26, 2023 was an American fashion model, and one of the first African American models to be featured in mainstream publications of her time.

Career

Working as a stylist in a New York photographer's studio, Williams was discovered at age 17 by celebrity clients such as Lena Horne and Sammy Davis, Jr.[1]

Her career began as an exclusive model for magazines such as Ebony and Jet. However, the discrimination she faced in the United States as an African-American[2] led her to relocate to France in 1960, where she found success modeling for designers such as Christian Dior and Jean Dessès.[3] She returned to the U.S. in 1961 and despite initial roadblocks went on to be the face of major ad campaigns by brands such as Budweiser and Sears. She was one of the first clients of Ophelia DeVore's Grace De Marco modeling agency.[4]

Legacy

Williams has been credited with helping to break down racial barriers in modeling. In 2004, she was the recipient of the Trailblazer Award by the Fashion & Arts Xchange organization at a ceremony at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.[2]

Personal life

Williams retired from modeling in 1970, but continued her career in fashion as a stylist. She married Norm Jackson in 1977, whom she had met during her modeling days.[5]

Death

Williams passed away on July 26, 2023 at the age of 88.[6]

References
  1. Arogundade, Ben. "HELEN WILLIAMS: First Black Female Fashion Model: African American Models 1950s". www.arogundade.com. Retrieved 2015-06-10.
  2. "Williams likes being trailblazing beauty". Retrieved 2015-06-10.
  3. Company, Johnson Publishing (September 1960). Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company.
  4. "Empowering black women: Ophelia DeVore, shrewd Georgia businesswoman, fought stereotypes". Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  5. Foedisch, Casey. "Riverton 4th of July Booklet" (PDF).
  6. "Burlington County Times". Retrieved 2023-08-19.
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