First African-American supermodel Naomi Sims has died of cancer yesterday, August 03, 2009. She was 61.

Once bullied by her classmates because of her height, Naomi Sims has risen to become one of the most successful black models while still in her teens

She has been the first African-American model to appear on the covers of Ladies Home Journal in 1967, The New York Times Magazine's Fashion of the Times in 1967, and Life Magazine in 1969. (Her magazine appearances - the 1967 New York Times fashion magazine cover and the 1969 cover of LIFE Magazine - are now on display in the Metropolitan Museum's "The Model As Muse" exhibit.)

According to reports, Naomi Sims was turned down by modeling agencies in the late 1960s. Undeterred by rejection, the black model went to photographers and finally persuaded Gosta Peterson to capture her for the cover of The New York Times Magazine's Fashion of the Times supplement in 1967. (It was this image which would later appear in the MET's "Model as Muse" exhibit.) She has also sent out the image to advertising agencies and was earning $1,000 within a year. The image has her land a national AT&T TV commercial campaign wearing Bill Blass.

Her phenomenal appearances on top magazine covers has paved the way for her worldwide recognition in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She has also modeled for prestigious fashion designers Halston, Fernando Sánchez, Teal Traina, and Giorgio di Sant' Angelo.

Because of popularity, Naomi Sims was later offered a lead role in the Hollywood film Cleopatra Jones but she chose to turn down the role because of racist portrayal of blacks in the movie.

When she retired from modeling in 1973, she started her own beauty business and launched a successful wig collection. Her design posted an annual sales of $5 million by 1978.

Naomi Sims also became a successful author in her later years. She wrote five books on modeling, beauty and health including "All About Health and Beauty for the Black Women," "How to Be a Top Model," and "All About Success for the Black Women." She also has an advice column for teenage girls in Right On! Magazine.

Naomi Sims always acknowledged that her success has come from using her race as an advantage. Her early works and advocacy for the black race has helped established the identity of today's black supermodels like Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Jourdan Dunn and other upcoming top models of African descent.

"It's 'in' to use me, and maybe some people do it when they don't really like me. But even if they are prejudiced, they have to be tactful if they want a good picture," Naomi Sims once said after establishing her multi-million beauty empire.