Naomi Sims facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naomi Sims
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| Born | March 30, 1948 Oxford, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Died | August 1, 2009 (aged 61) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Model, writer, businesswoman |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency | Wilhelmina Models |
Naomi Ruth Sims (born March 30, 1948 – died August 1, 2009) was an American model, businesswoman, and author. She made history as the first African-American model to appear on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in November 1968. Many people consider her the first African-American supermodel.
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Early Life and Challenges
Naomi Sims was born in Oxford, Mississippi. She was the youngest of three daughters. Her parents divorced shortly after she was born. Her mother, Elizabeth Sims, later moved the family to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Naomi was very tall for her age. At 13, she was 5 feet 10 inches tall. This made some classmates tease her. For a time, Naomi lived in foster care. She went to Westinghouse High School. Naomi said her Catholic faith helped her through these tough years.
Starting a Modeling Career
Naomi Sims earned a scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She also took night classes in psychology at New York University. When she tried to become a model, some agencies turned her down. They said her skin was "too dark." This was a form of racial prejudice.
Naomi did not give up. She decided to contact fashion photographers directly. Gösta Peterson, a photographer for The New York Times, agreed to photograph her. Her picture appeared on the cover of the paper's fashion section in August 1967. This was a big step for her.
Even after this, it was still hard to find work. So, Naomi went to Wilhelmina Cooper, a former model who was starting her own agency. Naomi offered to send copies of her New York Times photo to advertising agencies. She would include Wilhelmina's phone number. If Naomi got work, Wilhelmina's agency would get a fee. This smart idea worked. Within a year, Naomi was earning $1,000 a week.
A major moment came when she was chosen for a national TV ad campaign for AT&T. She wore clothes designed by Bill Blass. Naomi later said this ad helped her a lot. It showed her face to many people. After it aired, more people wanted to work with her.
Becoming a Supermodel
Naomi Sims became one of the first successful black models while still a teenager. She gained fame around the world from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. She appeared on the covers of many famous fashion and popular magazines.
The New York Times noted her appearance on the cover of Ladies' Home Journal in November 1968. This was a key moment for the "Black is beautiful" movement. She also appeared on the cover of Life magazine on October 17, 1969. This made her the first African-American model on that magazine's cover. Her famous photos were even shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
By 1972, Hollywood wanted Naomi to act. She was offered the main role in the movie Cleopatra Jones. But Naomi turned it down. She felt the movie showed black people in a negative way.
Naomi decided to start her own business instead. In 1973, she stopped modeling. She launched a successful wig collection. These wigs were made to look like straightened black hair. Her business grew into a huge beauty company. She also wrote at least five books about modeling and beauty. These included All About Health and Beauty for the Black Woman and How to Be a Top Model. She also wrote an advice column for teenage girls in Right On! magazine.
Personal Life and Legacy
In August 1973, Naomi married art dealer Michael Findlay. They had one son named Bob. Their marriage ended in 1991.
Naomi Sims passed away from breast cancer on August 1, 2009. She was 61 years old. She is remembered as a pioneer who broke barriers in the fashion world. Her work helped pave the way for many models who came after her.
Images for kids
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Naomi Sims, a groundbreaking model and businesswoman.
