Lena Horne has died. A woman who exuded strength, grace and beauty while breaking down racial barriers in an almost fifty year career has gone on to be on the eternal stage. She was among the first Black performersx to sing with a white band and was included with the few Black performers to have a contract with a major studio in the 1940's. Her rendition of "Stormy Weather" from the all Black musical of the same thing is to me the definitive version of the song. She won a Tony award for her one woman show "The Lady and Her Music" in 1981. She was the embodiement of an entertainer, a singer, dancer and actor and excelling at them all.
Finally there was her activism and commitment to the cause of human and civil rights. She endured many indignities and attacks of racism for years such as scenes of her in movies being cut out due to pressure from the south. These only served to embolden her and she became a staunch supporter of the Civil rights movement. She suffered much but she blazed a trail for all of us to follow and we must always do our best to honor those like Dr. Dorothy Height and Benjamin Hooks who we recently lost as well as Ms. Horne.
Lena Horne
1917-2010
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