Who was Marian Anderson?
Marian Anderson is an advocate and a leader for all African American performers to follow her. She faced discrimination in a mature way and showed America her talent even though she had dark skin. Anderson opened the door to all different performers and opened the eyes of millions of Americans.
Marian Anderson is an advocate and a leader for all African American performers to follow her. She faced discrimination in a mature way and showed America her talent even though she had dark skin. Anderson opened the door to all different performers and opened the eyes of millions of Americans.
Growing Up in Philadelphia
Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 27th 1897. Marian Anderson had no normal childhood. At age six she joined her church choir because she was so passionate about her music. Later her father saved up money to buy her a piano, but they could not afford piano lessons, so she taught herself to play. At Age 12 her father died, but she kept singing. Her church was so inspired by her musical talent, they decided to fund her music lessons with the best music teacher at the time, Giuseppe Boghetti.
Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 27th 1897. Marian Anderson had no normal childhood. At age six she joined her church choir because she was so passionate about her music. Later her father saved up money to buy her a piano, but they could not afford piano lessons, so she taught herself to play. At Age 12 her father died, but she kept singing. Her church was so inspired by her musical talent, they decided to fund her music lessons with the best music teacher at the time, Giuseppe Boghetti.
My Lord What a Morning
Marian Anderson started her career by touring Europe in 1935 with the help of the Julius Rosenwald scholarship she received. President Roosevelt and his wife had invited Anderson to perform in the White House. This was a big honor especially since very few people of color were able to do this at the time. Anderson became the first African-American to perform at the New York metropolitan Opera. She came out with the hit song “My Lord What a Morning”. In 1961, she had the opportunity to sing the national anthem for President John F. Kennedy's at his inauguration. Two years later, Kennedy presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Marian Anderson started her career by touring Europe in 1935 with the help of the Julius Rosenwald scholarship she received. President Roosevelt and his wife had invited Anderson to perform in the White House. This was a big honor especially since very few people of color were able to do this at the time. Anderson became the first African-American to perform at the New York metropolitan Opera. She came out with the hit song “My Lord What a Morning”. In 1961, she had the opportunity to sing the national anthem for President John F. Kennedy's at his inauguration. Two years later, Kennedy presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Overcoming Adversity
Marian Anderson faced discrimination which made her dreams of being a famous singer a little harder to achieve. When she was just fifteen she tried to enroll in a music school in Philadelphia. They denied her, ignoring her talents, because of her skin color. The most famous example of the cringeworthy treatment she received was given to her by the Daughters of American Revolution, the DAR. In 1939 they would not let her use their Constitution Hall for a concert. She instead gave a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial and drew a crowd of about 75,000 people including whites and blacks. Again in 1941 the DAR refused to let her sing in the Constitution Hall. She handled these situations very well. She held her tongue and worked her way around the obstacles thrown at her. By continuing her singing career she was standing up for racial inequality. She showed that skin color doesn’t matter and that she had a right to sing.
Marian Anderson faced discrimination which made her dreams of being a famous singer a little harder to achieve. When she was just fifteen she tried to enroll in a music school in Philadelphia. They denied her, ignoring her talents, because of her skin color. The most famous example of the cringeworthy treatment she received was given to her by the Daughters of American Revolution, the DAR. In 1939 they would not let her use their Constitution Hall for a concert. She instead gave a free concert at the Lincoln Memorial and drew a crowd of about 75,000 people including whites and blacks. Again in 1941 the DAR refused to let her sing in the Constitution Hall. She handled these situations very well. She held her tongue and worked her way around the obstacles thrown at her. By continuing her singing career she was standing up for racial inequality. She showed that skin color doesn’t matter and that she had a right to sing.
Believing in What is Right
Eleanor Roosevelt was a member of the DAR and the First lady of the United States. After hearing of the discrimination given to Anderson, she resigned from the DAR. Eleanor was very well respected. Once the word spread that Eleanor was leaving the DAR, it made people want to set up the public performance for Anderson. Eleanor had a big role in helping Anderson deal with the discrimination by the DAR.
Eleanor Roosevelt was a member of the DAR and the First lady of the United States. After hearing of the discrimination given to Anderson, she resigned from the DAR. Eleanor was very well respected. Once the word spread that Eleanor was leaving the DAR, it made people want to set up the public performance for Anderson. Eleanor had a big role in helping Anderson deal with the discrimination by the DAR.
Making a Change
After many decades, the DAR, the same group who denied Mrs. Anderson a chance to sing when she was alive, hosted a concert in her honor. On April 09, 2009, the 70th anniversary of Marian Anderson famous concert at the Lincoln memorial many artists performed in the same spot as Anderson performed. These artists include Denyce Graves, Sweet Honey in the Rock and the Chicago Children’s Choir. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission helped the DAR put the concert together. The event was concluded with a Naturalization ceremony. America has come a long way to correct its racist past and trailblazers, like Mrs. Anderson helped pave the way.
After many decades, the DAR, the same group who denied Mrs. Anderson a chance to sing when she was alive, hosted a concert in her honor. On April 09, 2009, the 70th anniversary of Marian Anderson famous concert at the Lincoln memorial many artists performed in the same spot as Anderson performed. These artists include Denyce Graves, Sweet Honey in the Rock and the Chicago Children’s Choir. Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission helped the DAR put the concert together. The event was concluded with a Naturalization ceremony. America has come a long way to correct its racist past and trailblazers, like Mrs. Anderson helped pave the way.