Naomi Sims

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Naomi Sims (born March 30, 1948 in Oxford , Mississippi , † August 1, 2009 in Newark , New Jersey ) was an American model . In the 1960s, she was the first African American woman to become known worldwide as a photo model.

Life

Naomi Sims grew up in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania and then attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City . She started working as a model as a student. Was helpful to them while the black civil rights movement that in the 1960s the slogan " Black is beautiful " (English. Black is beautiful ) coined. The highlights of her career were cover pictures on the magazines "Ladies Home Journal" (1968) and " Life " (1969). Neither magazine had ever featured a black woman on the cover before.

In 1972 the Warner Bros. in Hollywood Sims offered the title role in Jack Starrett's film " Cleopatra Jones ", which they turned down after reading the extremely racist script.

In 1976 Sims started a company that brought out a very successful collection of straight hair wigs for black women. Today the company mainly markets cosmetic products for black women. Sims has also published beauty tips books since the 1970s.

Sims was married to Michael Finney , curator of the New York Cultural Center, in the 1970s , who brought her out in the role of Anna May Wong in an event hosted by event artist Ray Johnson in 1972 .

Naomi Sims died of breast cancer on August 1, 2009.

Web links
personal data
SURNAME Sims, Naomi
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American model
DATE OF BIRTH March 30, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH Oxford , Mississippi , United States
DATE OF DEATH August 1, 2009
Place of death Newark , New Jersey , United States