Cacsmy Brutus(November 20, 1989 – December 16, 2019), known asMama Cax,was aHaitian Americanmodel anddisability rightsactivist.[1][2]With herprostheticright leg, Cax was an unconventional figure in modernfashion modelling.
Mama Cax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Cacsmy Brutus November 20, 1989 New York City,U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 2019(aged 30) London,England |
| Occupation(s) | Model, activist |
Early life
editCacsmy Brutus was born inBrooklyn,New York City,on November 20, 1989.[3]She grew up inHaiti,and at age 14, she was diagnosed withosteosarcomaandlung cancer—doctors gave her three weeks to live.[2][4]Two years later, she received a hip replacement which failed, leading to the amputation of her right leg.[5][6]She later said that it took several years to regain her confidence and that she hid herprosthetic legfor several years.[7]
She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in international relations.[8]
At age 18, Cax learned to playwheelchair basketball.
Modeling
editOn September 15, 2016, Cax was invited to theWhite Houseto participate in a fashion show put on byBarackandMichelle Obama.At that time, she was working in the office of theMayor of New York Citywith Dhiren Raja while finishing her studies.[9]
In 2017, Cax appeared in her first commercial advertisement, and soon signed with the modelling agency JAG Models in New York.[3]Among her appearances, she walked the runway in shows forChromat[3]andRihanna'sFenty Beauty.[10]Her later commercial work included ad campaigns forTommy HilfigerandSephora.[3]
She walked atNew York Fashion Weekin 2018, parading in a swimsuit designed by Becca McCharen (CEO and Creative Director forChromat[3]), who seeks to change the "standards of beauty".[2][11]That year, she made the cover ofTeen VoguewithJillian Mercadoand Chelsea Werner.[12]
In 2019, Cax became the face of theOlaybrand for their sunscreen marketing campaign.[13]In October 2019, Cax announced she would be participating in theNew York Marathonin a wheelchair.[14]
Death
editWhile in England in December 2019, Cax was hospitalized at theRoyal London Hospitalfor severe abdominal pains and blood clots in the lung, which were later confirmed as apulmonary embolism;she died in the hospital on December 16, 2019.[2][3][15]
Legacy
editOn February 8, 2023, Cax was honored with aGoogle Doodleas part ofBlack History Month.[16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Hess, Liam (20 December 2019)."The Trailblazing Model Mama Cax Has Died at 30".Vogue.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2019.Retrieved21 December2019.
- ^abcdHortan, Adrian (20 December 2019)."Boundary-breaking model Mama Cax dies at 30".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 21 December 2019.Retrieved21 December2019.
Mama Cax, a boundary-breaking model, activist and advocate for the fashion industry's inclusion of differently abled models and people of color, has died of complications from a weeklong illness, her family announced on Friday, via social media. She was 30.
- ^abcdefTaylor, Derrick Bryson (December 22, 2019)."Mama Cax, Amputee Model and Disability Activist, Dies at 30".NYTimes.com.Archivedfrom the original on May 20, 2020.
- ^"Fashion Blogger and Cancer Survivor Mama Cax Talks Body Positivity, Self-Care, and the Skincare Products Behind Her Gorgeous Glow".Health.com.April 18, 2019. Archived fromthe originalon December 20, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Mama Cax on Her Amputation, Beauty, and Body Positivity:" I Felt Pride, and That Changed Everything "".Glamour.com.May 3, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Mama Cax Shares How Losing a Leg Didn't Make Her Feel Any Less Beautiful (VIDEO)".Allure.com.October 26, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Mama Cax: What losing a leg taught me about beauty".NBC News.July 22, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"About".mamacax.com.4 February 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 8 August 2015.
- ^"Model-Activist Mama Cax on Traveling with a Disability".HERE Magazine.2018.Archivedfrom the original on 2019-12-20.Retrieved2019-12-21.
- ^"No One's Gonna Miss The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show".BuzzFeed.November 25, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on November 28, 2020.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"The Chromat Runway Continues to Champion Body Diversity".Papermag.com.September 8, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"This Model-Activist and Amputee's Runway Walk Just Lit Up the Chromat Show".Vogue.September 8, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Mama Cax Teams Up With Olay To Open The Dialogue On SPF And Protecting Black Skin".Essence.March 26, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on March 31, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Model Mama Cax Is Hand Cycling The NYC Marathon — Here's How She Trains".Bustle.October 29, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on December 20, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Mama Cax Has Passed Away at 30".Teen Vogue.December 20, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2019.RetrievedDecember 21,2019.
- ^"Celebrating Mama Cax".Google.8 February 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 8 February 2023.Retrieved8 February2023.