Singing Down Barriers

Marian Anderso

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born February 27, 1897born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

singerdiplomatdied April 8, 1993

Just the Facts

trained with Giuseppe Boghettisang at Lewisohn Stadium in New York

performed in Carnegie Hall for the first time in 1928

European tour after winning a Julius Rosenwald scholarship

by late 1930s, famous on both sides of Atlantic

Professional Success

in the U. S. she was invited by President Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor to perform at the White House, the first African American ever to receive this honor

in 1955, she became the first African-American singer to perform as a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City

Professional Success

in 1961 she performed the national anthem at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration

in 1963 she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Professional Success

in 1963, sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington

in 1991, received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement 

Professional Success

in 1939, was refused the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

she was told there were no dates available

Racial Divide

in truth, Constitution Hall was owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and they had a whites only policy for those who performed in the hall

Racial Divide

when word leaked out, an uproar ensued

Eleanor Roosevelt was a leader of this uproar

Racial Divide

Marian Anderson was invited to sing at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday

she performed in front of 75,000 people and millions more listened on the radio

Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her membership in the DAR

Racial Divide

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