'70s Trans Model Tracey 'Africa' Norman Shares Moving Story

A popular model in the 1970s who was the face of Clairol's Born Beautiful hair color, had an exclusive contract with Avon, did photo shoots for Essence and was a model for Balenciaga's Paris showroom, told New York magazine this week she is transgender -- a secret not many knew about during her time working as a model.

Tracey "Africa" Norman said she already faced discrimination as an African-American woman and knew if people were aware of her gender identity it would have ended her career or led to death.

In the article, titled "The First Black Trans Model Was on a Clairol Box," Norman, now 63, said word eventually got out about her being a trans woman and her work-life suffered.

"I was a model, so males and females were attracted to me, and when they find out that I'm not what they perceive me to be, it freaks them out," she told New York magazine. "That's what I've experienced in my life, what I was getting from straight women and straight men."

Norman later competed in New York City's drag ball community and joined the House of Africa. In 2001, she was inducted into the ballroom hall of fame.

"Orange is the New Black" star and trans activist Lavern Cox told the publication she discovered Norman's story about five years ago while reading a blog dedicated to the heroes of trans history.

"I was just enthralled, first of all, that there was this black model in the '70s who got a hair contract, who had cosmetic deals," Cox said. "That's just a really big deal, for any black model, and then for her to be trans is beyond amazing."

Norman said she's no longer fearful living as an out trans woman and wants to share her story with the world.

"I was reminded that I made history and I deserve to have it printed," she told New York magazine. "And I'm still here."

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