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Willette Murphy Klausner was so accustomed to success that she didn’t realize she’d achieved a historic first for Black models until years later. Although her name has been overlooked in the annals of fashion history, pushed aside by groundbreaking models like Beverly Johnson and Naomi Sims, in 1961, Ms. Klausner became the first Black model to appear in a major fashion magazine.

On July 27, 1961, Mademoiselle published the groundbreaking photo of then-22-year-old Murphy wearing a classy skirt and sweater combo alongside a white model. In a 2010 interview, Klausner revealed that she didn’t realize she’d made history until the New York Times did a story on it.

That accomplishment was just one of many “firsts” for Klausner.  She was the first Black senior class president at UCLA and worked on the school’s fashion board. It was the board appointment that led to her selection for the shoot.

A native of Santa Barbara, California, Klausner said that while growing up in her integrated town, she didn’t feel race was a big factor. Though she acknowledged the existence of racism, particularly in employment, her family instilled a sense of worth in her that propelled her past those barriers.

Another reason the modeling gig didn’t impress Klausner was that she was an economics major focused on business. Her studies led her to New York’s Tobe-Coburn School For Fashion Careers and ultimately to a position as Bloomingdales’ first Black merchandising executive.

Later, Klausner was named the first female VP of Marketing for MCA Universal Studios. She met her husband, attorney Manuel S. Klausner, in Copenhagen when he was a student there.

Klausner is now a theater producer for a number of popular plays that have had runs on Broadway. Three Mo’ Tenors is the more notable of her shows, and she’s also worked on Hurlyburly, and Kat and the Kings.

(Photo: Willette Murphy Klausner )

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