Naomi Sims
Naomi Sims, an African American model, was featured on the cover of the fashion issue of the New York Times in 1967. This was during the 1960s, a time period in which bigotry was prevalent throughout the United States. She was able to accomplish all of this without the assistance of an agent because she went to the photographers she wanted to work with directly.
Wilhemina Models is now well recognized as a premier modeling agency, and Sims was one of the very first models to sign with the agency. She also made history by becoming the first black model to appear on the cover of Ladies Home and Journal Life simultaneously. 2009 marked the year that terrible events led to the passing of Sims, who had been ailing for some time.