Helen Williams is a Black fashion model born in 1937.

Already as a child, Helen Williams was interested in fashion and started sewing her own garments. At 17, working as a stylist, she was discovered by an agent. She began her career as a model for magazines. 

In 1960, she temporarily moved to France due to racial prejudice she faced in the US. 
There, she grew rather successful and modelled for Dior and Jean Dessès. In 1961, however, she returned to the US and went on to work for magazines and major brands.

She was credited with the Trailblazer Award in 2004 in a ceremony at FIT in New York.