Helen Williams was one of the first Black models to appear widely in national publications in the U.S.
- Died: July 26, 2023 (Who else died on July 26?)
- Details of death: Died at a care center in Moorestown, New Jersey, of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 87.
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Helen Williams’s legacy
Williams began modeling as a teen in the 1950s, a time when opportunities for Black models were limited. However, several magazines directed toward Black communities had begun to gain traction, and Williams became a beloved feature in such publications as Ebony and Jet. She was both a cover girl and a staple of ads produced by national companies – including Kodak and Budweiser – for Black audiences.
Her success was particularly notable because of how the beauty industry favored Black models and actresses with lighter skin tones. Williams shattered that beauty stereotype by achieving national recognition and becoming the face of aspirational beauty for many.
In addition to her work at home in the U.S., Williams modeled in France, collaborating with such fashion houses as Christian Dior. She found an appreciative audience there, in a country that didn’t have the same racial stereotypes and expectations as America. After her retirement from modeling in the 1970s, White cofounded H&H Fashion.
Tributes to Helen Williams
Full obituary: The New York Times
