“There is no force

more powerful than

a woman
determined to rise.” (1922-1965)
-Dorothy Dandridge

ACTRESS, SINGER, THEATER PERFORMER,

DANCER, AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
Many human beings don’t
know about the long story
of Dorothy Dandridge.
During this generation, we
aren’t naïve. Many of the
same discrimination that
she had suffered still
exists in 2020. Today, we
will analyze her life,
appreciate her talent, and
realize that the dream of
justice is fully embedded
in our souls. As an icon,
her glorious resiliency
plus legacy live on.
 “I never considered it a disadvantage to be a Black woman. I
never wanted to be anything else. We have brains. We are
beautiful. We can do anything we set our minds to.”
-Diana Ross to during an Interview with Essence Magazine in
1989.

Contents
1. Foreword
2. The Beginnings of Her
Life
3. Her Early Career
4. Carmen Jones
5. Later Performances
6. Social Activism
7. Her Passing
8. Dorothy Dandridge’s
Legacy
It is the perfect time to celebrate the life of a late, great legend, who lived from November 9,
1922 to September 8, 1965. I always love her work and the causes that she has assiduously
advanced. Her life has been through the rain, but her courage was indomitable. Ahead of
her time, she was a heroic trailblazer of cultural excellence. She experienced so much joy and
pain, yet her life was the testimony of the resiliency of the human spirit. She was a black
woman who didn't live long enough to see the younger generation of black actresses showing
their lights on a very high level in public, but she was one architect of the modern-day black
woman superstar involving acting plus music. Her name was the great Sister Dorothy
Dandridge. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Back in the day, you had to be multifaceted
in talent to get into the door. Dorothy Dandridge danced, sang songs, and acted in many
legendary movies. Her role in Carmen Jones back in the year of 1954 was ahead of its time.
It was film about a woman during World War II who experienced controversies, love, and
tragedy. It is important to note that many black men and black women during World War
II were in the battlefields, in the post offices, in the Navy, and in the Airforce. She was in
the film Bright Road too. In 1959, Dandridge was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
for Porgy and Bess. She is the subject of the 1999 HBO biographical film, Introducing
Dorothy Dandridge. From the Cotton Club to the Apollo Theater, she loved to perform.
She loved her audience. She recorded musical records back in the 1940's and all the way to
the 1960's. Dorothy Dandridge worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Los Angeles to
promote civil rights legislation. She passed away in 1965. Many actresses give credit to her as
inspiring them like as Cicely Tyson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry, Janet Jackson, Whitney
Houston, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Tasha Smith, and Angela Bassett. She was one of
the many African Americans who helped to break down barriers for future black women
actresses and entertainers in general. Her light was great and now we honor her legacy by
promoting excellence and due diligence in achieving justice for people.
 Sweet Dreams Sister Dorothy Dandridge.

The Beginnings of Her Life

Dorothy Dandridge's early life was an experience. She was born on November 9, 1922 in
Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents are entertainer Ruby Dandridge (1900-1987) and Cyril Dandridge
(1895-1989). Her parents separated just before her birth. Ruby made a song and dance act for her
daughters Dorothy and Vivian. Vivian and Dorothy were part of the child group called The
Wonder Children. The act was managed by Geneva Williams. They toured the South for 5 years,
while Ruby worked and performed in Cleveland. It is said that Geneva Williams (who would be
Ruby Dandridge’s partner) had a bad temper. By the time of the Great Depression, the family
moved into Hollywood, California. Ruby worked on radio and film in small domestic servant
parts. Dorothy Dandridge attended McKinley Junior High School in 1930. The Wonder Children
were renamed the Dandridge Sisters in 1934. Dorothy and her sister teamed up with dance
schoolmate Etta Jones. The Dandridge Sisters were strong for many years. They were booked in
famous nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the famous Apollo Theater. Dorothy Dandridge's
first on screen appearance was in a small part in an Our Gang comedy short called Teacher's
Beau in 1935. She was in the 1936 The Big Broadcast as part of the Dandridge Sisters. They worked
with Bill Robinson in that film. She was in the film A Day at the Races (in 1937) with the Marx
Brothers, and It Can't Last Forever in 1937 with the Jackson Brothers.

Nationwide, Dorothy Dandridge gained national recognition with her nightclub performances.
Dandridge's first credit film role was in Four Shall Die (1940). This race film cast her as a
murderer and did little for her career. She rejected stereotypical black roles. She had small roles
in Lady from Louisiana with the racist John Wayne and Sundown with Gene Tierney (both in
1941). Dandridge appeared as part of a Specialty Number, "Chattanooga Choo Choo" in the hit
1941 musical Sun Valley Serenade for 20th century FOX. This film showed her for the first time
performing with the Nicholas Brothers. Dorothy Dandridge was in many soundies. Soundies are
film clips that were displayed on jukeboxes. They were Paper Doll by the Mill Brothers, Cow,
Cow Boogie, etc. These films showed her singing and dancing plus acting abilities. Dorothy
Dandridge were on plays and films all over the 1940's. Dorothy Dandridge was once married to
one of the Nicholas' Brothers, and they had one daughter.

Her Early Career

She continued to appear occasionally in films and on the stage throughout the rest of the 1940s,
and though performing as a band singer in some good company with: Count Basie in Hit Parade
of 1943, Louis Armstrong, Atlantic City in 1944, and Pillow to Post in 1945. In 1951, Dandridge
appeared as Melmendi, Queen of the Ashuba in Tarzan's Peril, starring Lex Barker and Virginia
Huston. When the Motion Picture Production Code made people talk about the film's "blunt
sexuality", Dandridge received considerable attention for wearing what was considered
"provocatively revealing" clothing. The continuing publicity buzz surrounding Dandridge's
wardrobe got her pictured on the April 1951 cover of Ebony. That same year, she had a supporting
role in The Harlem Globetrotters (1951). In May 1951, Dandridge spectacularly opened at the
Mocambo nightclub in West Hollywood after assiduous coaching and decisions on style with
pianist Phil Moore. This success seemed a new turn to her career and she appeared in New York
and at Café de Paris in London with equal success. In a return engagement at the Mocambo in
December 1952, a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio agent saw Dandridge and recommended to
production chief Dore Schary that she might make an appearance as a club singer, in her own
name, in Remains to Be Seen, already in production. Her acquaintance with Dore Schary resulted
in his casting Dandridge as Jane Richards in Bright Road—her first starring role, projecting
herself as a "wonderful, emotional actress"—which the trailer was to later promote. The film,
which centered on a teacher's struggles to reach out to a troubled student, marked the first time
Dandridge appeared in a film opposite Harry Belafonte. She continued her performances in
nightclubs thereafter and appeared on multiple early television variety shows, including Ed
Sullivan's Toast of the Town. From the beginning, Sister Dorothy Dandridge displayed great
charisma.

Dorothy Dandridge was the first
black woman to present an
Academy Award. At the
ceremony, she said the
following words, “If I seem a
little nervous, this is as big as a
moment for me as it will be for
the winner of this Award.”
These are pictures of
Dorothy Dandridge at Savoy
Hotel in London at April of
1956.
She is the actress and
singer Olga James being
91 years old now. This
picture showed her on the
film of Carmen James.
Olga James has always
praised Dorothy
Dandridge as a
courageous black woman.
 Carmen Jones

Dorothy Dandridge's role in Carmen Jones further solidified her legacy as one of the greatest
actresses of all time. Back in 1953, a nationwide talent search came about as 20th Century Fox
started to cast the all-black musical film adaption of Oscar Hammerstein II's 1943 Broadway
musical of Carmen Jones. It came from Georges Bizet's opera Carmen updated to a World War
II-era African American setting. Under consideration, but available to director and writer Otto
Preminger to view for suitability was Dandridge's starring role from the previous year of the film
Bright Road. Dorothy Dandridge had to fight for her role of Carmen. At first, Preminger didn't
want Dandridge to play Carmen but the role of the quieter person Cindy Lou. Dandridge dressed
down for her role in Bright Road. For Carmen Jones, Dorothy Dandridge worked with Max
Factor to dress up for the part. She performed her case for the role of Carmen directly to the
director Preminger in his executive office. Later, after giving appearances in the soundies
material, Preminger gave her the role.
Many of the cast were like a Hall of Fame of African American actors, actresses, and singers like
Pearl Bailey, Brock Peters, Harry Belafonte, Diahann Carroll, Olga James, Madame Sul-Te-Wan
(born Nellie Crawford) and Joe Adams. Dorothy Dandridge was a singer, but the film wanted a
more operatic voice. Dandridge's voice in the movie was dubbed by operatic vocalist Marilyn
Horne. Carmen Jones opened to favorable reviews and a strong box office returns on October
28, 1954. It earned $70,000 during its first week and $50,000 during its second. Dandridge's
performance as the seductive leading actress made her one of Hollywood's African American sex
symbols. She earned positive reviews for her role. By November 1, 1954, Dorothy Dandridge was
the first black woman featured on the cover of Life magazine. Carmen Jones was the worldwide
success earning over $10 million at the box office and becoming one of the year's highest earning
films.

Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. She was the first
African American nominated for a leading role. During the 27th Academy Awards, which was
held on March 30, 1955, Dandridge shared her Oscar nomination with actresses like Grace Kelly,
Audrey Hepburn, Judy Garland, and Jane Wyman. Although, Kelly won the award for her
performance in The County Girl, Dorothy Dandridge was highly popular. During the 1955 Oscar
ceremony, Dandridge presented the Academy Award for Film Editing to On the Waterfront
editor Gene Milford. On February 15, 1955, Dandridge signed a three-movie deal with 20th
Century Fox starting at $75,000 a film. Darryl F. Zanuck, the studio head, had personally
suggested the studio sign Dandridge to a contract. Zanuck had big plans for her, hoping that she
would evolve into the first African American screen icon. He purchased the film rights to The
Blue Angel and intended to cast her as saloon singer Lola-Lola in an all-black remake of the
original 1930 film. She was planned to play Cigarette in the remake of Under Two Flags.
Dandridge agreed to play the role of Tuptim in a film version of the King and I and a neighbor
The Lieutenant Wore Skirts. Her former director Otto Preminger suggested that she accept only
leading roles. By this time, Preminger was committing adultery against his wife by having an
affair with Dandridge. Dorothy Dandridge was an international star. She rejected the two other
roles and they were given to the famous Puerto Rican actress Rita Moreno. On April 11, 1955,
Dorothy Dandridge was the first black performer to open at the Empire Room inside New York's
Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Her success as a headliner led to the hotel to book other black performers
like Count Bassie Orchestra with vocalist Joe Williams, Pearl Bailey, and Lena Horne. In 1957,
Dandridge sued Confidential for libel over its article about an incident. This incident never
happened and by May 1957, she received an accepted out of court settlement of $10,000. She also
testified at the 1957 criminal libel trial of Hollywood Research, Inc., the company that published
Confidential as well as all of the other tabloid magazines from that era. Dandridge and O'Hara's
testimony proved that Hollywood Research committed libel at least twice against both women.
By the late 1950's, she was in many roles.

Later Performances

Dorothy Dandridge's later performances would be ahead of its time. By 1957, after 3 years absent
from film acting, she agreed to appear in the film version of Island in the Sun. I saw the film
before in real life on TCM (Turner Classic Movies). The ensemble cast included people like James
Mason, Harry Belafonte, Joan Fontaine, Joan Collins, and Stephen Boyd. Dandridge portrayed
an Indian shop clerk who had an interracial love affair with a white man, played by John Justin.
Back then, the film was controversial because of the obvious reason. The script was revised on
many times to accommodate the Motion Picture Production Code requirements about
interracial relationships. Censorship was worst back then than today. There was a romantic
embrace in the film between Dandridge and Justin that succeeded in not breaching the code.
Despite the behind the scenes controversy, the film had favorable reviews. It was one of year's
best successes. Later, Dandridge agreed to star opposite German actor Curd Jurgens in the
French/Italian production of Tamango in 1958. I saw parts of Tamango in real life too on
YouTube before. Dandridge was reluctant to play in this role. She decided to do it after learning
that it focused on a 19th century slave revolt on a cargo ship traveling from Africa to Cuba. Yet,
she almost withdrew her involvement when the initial script wanted her to swim in the nude and
spend most of the film in a two-piece bathing suit made of rags. When Dandridge threatened to
leave the film, the script and her wardrobe was retooled to her liking. The United States
Production code requirements didn't apply to the Italian film production. The passionate kiss
between Jurgens and Dandridge's character was permitted in the shooting of Tamango. This gave
Dandridge her first and only on-screen kiss with a white actor. Tamango was withheld from
American release until late 1959. It received mixed reviews from critics and achieved only minor
success.

1958's The Decks Ran Red from MGM have Dandridge co-starred with James Mason and
Broderick Crawford as Mahai's a cook's wife abroad abroad a large ocean liner where numerous
deaths are arranged to take place. It had a respectable audience, and Dandridge had a unique
wardrobe in the film. In late 1958, Dandridge accepted producer
Samuel Goldwyn's offer to star in his forthcoming production of Porgy
and Bess, which would become her first major Hollywood film in five
years. Back in the day and today, the film Porgy and Bess has been
debated.

Some African Americans felt that the film was fine, but other African
Americans felt that Porgy and Bess degraded and stereotyped black
Americans. The director Rouben Mamoulian was replaced with Otto
Vivian Dandridge is the
Preminger. Otto said that Dandridge needed intensive coaching to sister to Dorothy
handle a role in Porgy and Bess. All the sets and costumes were Dandridge. She was an
destroyed in a fire. They had to be replaced. It was worth almost $2 actress, dancer, and
million. There were script rewrites and other issues. Production was singer. She had one
long. The film was released in June 1959 with mixed reviews. It failed child and was part of
financially. In 1959, Dandridge was in the British thriller Malaga. She the Dandridge Sisters
musical group along
played a European woman with an Italian name. It co-starred Trevor with Etta Jones. Her
Howard and Edmund Purdom. The film was about a jewel robbery and talent is always
its aftermath. Dandridge kissed Howard in the film. It was released in acknowledged by us.
theaters in 1960 and not released in America until 1962. Malaga was her
final completed film appearance. In 1962, Dorothy Dandridge appeared
as Anita in Highland Park Music Theater production of West Side
Story. Yet, she only lasted 2 performances due to illness. In 1963, she
struggled. Her popularity declined. She performed in nightclubs to pay
Nat King Cole and
off debts from many lawsuits. She filed for bankruptcy. She was in Dorothy Dandridge
seclusion before appearing as a lounge act in Las Vegas in 1964. In 1965, were known friends.
she wanted to revive her acting career. She signed a new contact in Both planned on
Mexico and was scheduled to appear as a woman lead in the film based creating a television
on outlaw Johnny Ringo. Later, her end unfortunately came so early in series as a married
musical couple. The
her life.
series didn’t
materialize, but both
human beings were
icons.
Modern Day Sisters who are Actresses (following in the footsteps of
Dorothy Dandridge)

Sonequa Martin- Klyie Bunbury Regina King April Parker Jones

Green

CoCo Jones Tika Sumpter Keke Palmer Ajiona Alexus

Herizen F. Guardiola Anika Noni Rose Queen Latifah Angela Bassett

Oscar Micheaux (1884-
1951) was an African
American author, film
director, and independent
producer of more than 44
films. He made his Lincoln
Motion Picture Company
to promote films in dealing
with black life.
Nina Mae McKinney
(1912-1967) was an
actress who was on
Broadway and in
Hollywood. McKinney was
one of the first African
American film stars in the
United States, as well as
one of the first African
Americans to appear on
British television.
Madame Sul-Te-Wan Bill Robinson (1878-1949)
(1873-1959) was a lived his life in the world of
famous film actress, stage Jim Crow and pain. Yet,
performer, and television he had amazing talent as
star for over 50 years. She a tap dancer, actor, and
was in many films like singer. He was the most
Carmen Jones and The highly paid black
Buccaneer. American entertainer in
America during the first
half of the 20th century.
Theresa Harris (1906- Paul Robeson (1898-
1985) was a famous 1976) was a world-
singer, film actress, and famous singer, actor, and
dancer. He was born in stage performer. He
Houston, Texas. She later worked to be in non-
lived in Southern stereotypical movies like
California. She fought for Body and Soul, The
better roles in movies. Emperor Jones, and other
Harris continued to speak films. He worked in the
out for the truth after her civil rights movement, the
retirement. anti-imperialist
movement, etc. as a
dedicated progressive.
Ethel Waters (1896-1977)
was a great singer and
actress. She worked in
jazz, swing, and pop
music. She had songs like
Dinah, Stormy Weather,
Taking a Chance on Love,
etc. She was the great
aunt of the famous singer,
songwriter Crystal
Waters. Crystal Waters
looks like her too.
Sidney Poitier (1927-
present) is one of the
greatest actors in human
history. He is of Afro-
Bahamian descent. He is
the first black man to win
an Academy Award for
Best Actor. His roles were
groundbreaking in films
like The Defiant Ones,
Blackboard Jungle, A
Raisin in the Sun, The
Heat of the Night, For the
Love of Ivy, Cry, the
Beloved County, etc.
 “She (Dorothy Dandridge) was a pioneer, and a hero to the black community.
She helped open doors and pave the way for all of us, not just in the film industry
but in society. I wanted her to be remembered for how she lived and the
contribution that she made. She was a pioneer, and a hero to the black
community.”

-Halle Berry

Social Activism
Dorothy Dandridge was a social activist. She experienced racism and discrimination in
Hollywood and outside of Hollywood for years and decades. She was a Democrat who supported
the campaign of Adlai Stevenson during the 1952 Presidential election. She was involved with the
National Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
She spoke in a Los Angeles rally with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to advocate for civil rights. The
book from Dr. Emilie Raymond entitled, “Stars for Freedom: Hollywood, Black celebrities, and
the Civil Rights Movement” (University of Washington Press) documented how many
Hollywood stars were active in the Civil Rights Movement. People like Dick Gregory, Sidney
Poitier, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Sammy Davis Jr., and others inspired other people to go along
with the agenda of the black freedom movement. After the McCarthyite movement, many
Hollywood actresses and actors wanted to cut loose and express their political views more in
public. Back in the day, African Americans struggled to be writers, directors, producers, and
even camera people on sets. The older generation of black Americans had to literally fight for
social change, and many people died for the rights that we have today. Many people like
Dandridge and Poitier used their power and influence to make more future films about black
people in a non-stereotypical fashion. We certainly have a long way to go today, but we never
forget the sacrifices of those of the past.

Ossie Davis and Ruby Bree Newsome-Bass was the Here are Muhammad She is the activist
Dee for decades have black woman who took Ali and tennis legend Tamika Mallory. She is
promoted Black Love down the Confederate racist Althea Gibson singing a mother, a freedom
and political activism. flag off the South Carolina and having fun. Both fighter, and a person
They were the ones who capitol building. Her activism people were heroes dedicated to end the
fought for civil rights, and others’ heroism caused who fought for justice scourge of white
who fought against the the Confederate flag to be for all. They wanted racism. With her
Vietnam, and stood up banned from the South black people to be free work, she will
against police brutality. Carolina state capitol from oppression, and continue to inspire
They were friends to Dr. forever. they sacrificed so much future generations to
Martin Luther King Jr. for our freedom. stand up for black
and Malcolm X. Their liberation plus truth
compassion, love of forevermore.
black people, and their
courageousness will
always be honored by
us.

She was a legend. Dawn lived
during the days of Dorothy
Dandridge and became an
international star. From near
Pittsburgh, she was of African
American and Filipino heritage.
Marpessa Dawn acted in England
and France. She was in the film
Black Orpheus as Eurdyice. This
film was about the experiences of
Afro-Brazilian people. It won
many awards.
(1934-2008)
The Ebony magazine featured
here on November of 1959. Dawn
worked in French films and TV.
She was also on theatrical plays
like having the starring role in
Cherie Noire, which was a
comedy. Cherie Noire is French
for my black girlfriend. She loved
to perform and dance.
She appeared in a 2005
documentary about Vinicius
de Moraes, who wrote the
original play from which Black
Orpheus was adapted. She and
her fellow lead from that film,
Brazilian actor Breno Mello,
died just 42 days apart in 2008,
both from heart attacks. She
was 74 years old at the time of
her death in Paris and left five
children and four
grandchildren.
 Her Passing

On September 8, 1965, Dorothy Dandridge spoke by the telephone with friend and former sister
in law Geraldine “Geri” Branton. Dandridge planned to fly to New York City to prepare for her
nightclub engagement at Basin Street East on the next day. Branton told biographers that during
the long conversation, Dorothy Dandridge veered from expressing hope for the future to singing
Barbara Streisand’s “People” in its entirety (to make the cryptic remark moments before hanging
up on her). Her remark was “Whatever happens, I know you will understand.” Several hours later,
Dandridge was found naked and unresponsive in her apartment by her manager Earl Mills. A Los
Angeles pathology Institute determined the cause of death was an accidental overdose of the
antidepressant imipramine, while the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office concluded that she
died of a fat embolism resulting from a right foot fracture sustained five days previously. On
September 12, 1965, a private funeral service was held at the Little Chapel of the Flowers. She was
cremated, and her ashes are interred in the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Dorothy Dandridge was one of the most gorgeous, talented, and charismatic actresses of all time.
Her courage is incredible, and her life was filled with ups and downs. Yet, we remember her life
as a trailblazing black woman whose legacy inspired future black actresses to express their gifts
and light that comes from the Most High God.
 The young woman on the far left is Sister Naya Kamilah Wallace. She was born on May
27, 1970, and she is an actress. Her grandmother is Vivian Dandridge, her great-
grandmother was Ruby Dandridge, and Dorothy Dandridge was her great-aunt. Her
father is Michael Emmett Wallace (he was born on November 7, 1943).

Dorothy Dandridge’s Legacy

Her legacy is extensive. One part of her legacy is the love for her child. Also, Dorothy Dandridge
sacrificed her life as a way for future African American actresses to achieve their dreams. When she
lived, sexism and racism harmed her life. Today, these same problems exist. Yet, Dorothy
Dandridge inspired our people to see that we have the right to show our greatness irrespective of
obstacles. She helped to promote a non-stereotypical image of African Americans in film. Many
actresses have praised Dorothy Dandridge’s courage and inspiration like Cicely Tyson, Jada Pinkett
Smith, Halle Berry, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Tasha
Smith, and Angela Bassett. Many people don't know that Carmen Jones was the first film with an
all-black cast shown in Techicolor. Dorothy Dandridge was one of the earliest black iconic
superstars. “She was our queen,” once said African American actress Nichelle Nichols (of Star Trek
fame). Dandridge lived in an age of transition just after the silent movie era, but before modern
black American stars saw much more opportunities in displaying their talents. Also, there are many
facts that many people don't know about her life. As part of the Dandridge Sisters, she and others
preformed in Europe, at the Cotton Club, and with Louis Armstrong in 1949 (in the short lived
Swingin' the Dream). The Dandridge Sisters sang with the African American band leader Jimmie
Lunceford. They were in shorts like Snow Gets in Your Eyes (1938), and performed Harlem Yodel
and Rhythm Rascals. Harold and Fayard Nicholas performed with her or Dorothy Dandridge too.
“No film fan has ever forgotten her as a dream girl with the brothers,” said African American film
historian Donald Bogle in his book Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakers.

Like always, stand up for the truth always, vote, and believe in your own dreams.
Regardless, black lives always matter.

Dorothy Dandridge's only child was Harolyn who was born in 1943. Haroyln's father was Harold
Nicholas. Dandridge also studied dramatic acting at the progressive Actors' Lab in Los Angeles.
She was one of the school's first black students. Marilyn Monroe was one of the students there.
Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Monroe were great friends. The red baiting of the 1950's caused
the theater to be closed. Coach and composer plus arranger Phil Moore helped Dandridge to
develop a nightclub act. Dandridge once said of racial prejudice: “It is such a waste. It makes you
loggy and half-alive. If it gives you nothing.” One of the last pictures of Dorothy Dandridge was
when she was with her manager Earl Mills and the writer/historian Clarence A. De Lima. They
were at the producer Raul Fernandez's estate. Now, it's 55 years after her passing. She is right to say
the following words: “What makes you really happy is when you love and give and understand,
when you look at beauty and really see it. We are so busy watching the road under our feet we
forget to look up at the beauty all around us.” Halle Berry in 1999 produced and starred in the
HBO movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. I have watched the movie before on VHS before.
Halle Berry won the Prime-time Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild
Award. It was an excellent movie. She later won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She praised
 Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, and Diahann Carroll after receiving her award. We celebrate
Dorothy Dandridge’s legacy and life as a way for us to do our part in making the world better.

By Timothy

Lena Horne (1917- LaVern Baker (1929- Joyce Bryant (born in Sarah Vaughan (1924- Dinah Washington
2010) was a singer, a 1997) was one of the 1927) was a singer and 1990) was a great (1924-1963) was the
dancer, an actress, great R&B singers. actress ahead of her American jazz singer. most popular black
and a civil rights She was born in time. She wore She was born in woman singer and
activist. She was a Chicago. By the 1950’s, specialized dresses Newark, New Jersey. pianist of the 1950’s.
strong performer she had many hits on and was an early She was a legend. She She worked in blues,
who had a career the charts like Play it African American won 4 Grammy R&B, and pop
spanning over 70 Fair and Still. She woman model of Awards and the music. She was the
years. Even during toured the world too. beauty. She was born Lifetime Achievement Queen of the Blues
the 1990’s, she was in in Oakland, Award. She was given of her day.
a commercial California. She was an NEA Jazz Masters Tuscaloosa, Alabama
looking very young. outspoken to fight Award in 1989. Her was the place of her
She had 2 children. against racial voice was incredible. birth.
She was born in discrimination. She
Bedford-Stuyvesant, was one of the most
Brooklyn. unsung divas of all
time.
Rest in Power Sister Dorothy Dandridge