For Black History Month, PLAYBOY looks back at a woman who played a very important role in our history: Playmate Jennifer Jackson. Who was she? A great many things. A model, a children’s rights activist, and perhaps most of all, a history-maker. Here’s everything you need to know about Jennifer Jackson.
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Who is Jennifer Jackson?
Jennifer Jackson was born on February 6, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois. She is one of eight siblings, and even has an identical twin sister. After graduating high school, Jackson became a model, and even worked at Chicago’s bustling Playboy Club as a bunny while she attended college for teaching. In fact, Jackson first appeared in PLAYBOY with her twin sister Janis as part of The Bunnies of Chicago feature.
But Jackson is primarily known for being the first official black PLAYBOY Playmate of the Month, a distinction she achieved in the March 1965 issue. Her spread was shot by photographer Pompeo Posar. Jackson’s profile underlined how busy she was at the time, juggling school and a pretty busy modeling career.
“I’m not out to prove anything; it’s just that I’m not at my best unless I’m busy all the time,” Jackson said in her Playmate profile. The then 20-year-old model talked about being attracted to self-made men who share her passions for exotic cuisine, outdoor sports, avant-garde drama, and progressive jazz.
After modeling and making PLAYBOY magazine history, Jackson became a social worker. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.
Was Jennifer Jackson on the cover of PLAYBOY?
While Jennifer was the first Black Playmate, she was not the first Black woman to appear on the cover of PLAYBOY. That honor goes to Darine Stern, who appeared on the cover of the October 1971 issue.
