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Noted for February:

African American/Black History Month

(1 – 28 February 2012)

“Black Women in American Culture and History”

From the American Revolution to the present, African American women have played a myriad of critical roles in the making of our nation. Their labor and leadership, their motherhood and patriotism, and their intellect and artistic expression have all enriched both the African American community and the nation at large. In slavery and freedom, their struggles have been at the heart of the human experience, and their triumphs over racism and sexism are a testimonial to our common human spirit.

In American culture today, many know of the accomplishments of a few prominent figures. From Phillis Wheatley, the unlikely American patriot during the Revolutionary War, to Harriet Tubman, the leader of the Underground Railroad from slavery, to Ida B. Wells, the unyielding opponent of lynching, to Rosa Parks, the mother of the modern Civil Rights Movement, black women have been notable for standing against oppression. From Gwendolyn Brooks to Toni Morrison to Rita Dove, they have distinguished themselves in American letters, and in recent years they have been recognized as actors and recording artists with Academy Awards and Grammys.

The accomplishments of these exceptional women are the expressions of a vibrant culture in which African American women play a singular role. The labors, struggles, organization, and sacrifices of common women have made possible the prominence of heralded individuals. In churches, community groups, literary societies, sororities, and advocacy organizations, African American women have been the core of organized black life, but here their strivings have often escaped the gaze of the public and hence their history is too little known.

Their story is unique in the annals of American history. Black women were held as slaves and middle-class black women labored while their counterparts were housewives. Subjected to a long history of stereotypes about their sexuality, morality, spirituality, and intellect, African American women have never succumbed to victimhood and have pressed forward to uplift themselves, their families, and their community.

To gain an understanding of the history of African American women is to broaden our understanding of a people and the American nation. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History dedicates the 2012 Annual Black History Theme to exploring African American women’s roles in and contributions to the making of America.

“In thinking about this year’s theme of ‘Black Women in American Culture and History’ I began my research with the Harlem Renaissance,” said Mr. Peter Hemmer, DEOMI Illustrator. “It was astounding reading about all of the great art, music, writing and poetry that was created by African American women from that period of time. After narrowing down those topics to only music and the birth of jazz, I stumbled across the William P. Gottlieb Jazz Photo Collection at the library of Congress. His portrait of Billie Holiday became my inspiration for the artwork,” said Mr. Hemmer.

Billie Holiday was a true artist of her day and rose as a social phenomenon in the 1950s. Her soulful, unique singing voice and her ability to boldly turn any material that she confronted into her own music made her a superstar of her time. Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity, as many of Holiday's songs are as well known today as they were decades ago. Holiday's poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time.

Birth name: Eleanora Fagan Gough

Name change: Changed her name to "Billie Holiday" because of her admiration for film star "Billie Dove." She was also known as "Lady Day."

Birth date: April 7, 1915

Birth place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Death date: July 17, 1959

Death place: New York City, New York

Burial location: Saint Raymond's Cemetery in Bronx County, NY

Famous Tagline: "Lady Sings the Blues"

Occupation: Legendary jazz singer

Height: 5'5"

Hair color: Black

Eye color: Brown

Spouse: Louis McKay

Did you Know?

The U2 song Angel of Harlem paid tribute to Holiday.
On September 18, 1994, the United States Postal Service honored Holiday by introducing a USPS-sponsored stamp.
A statue of Holiday still stands today at the corner of Lafayette and Pennsylvania Avenues in Baltimore.

Local Event:

Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration

Tuesday, Feb 7, 4:30pm to 8:00pm

at New York State Museum, Albany, NY

Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration
Theme: Black Women in American Culture and History
Tuesday, February 7 ▪ 4:30-8p.m.
Clark Auditorium, Concourse level and Main Lobby ▪ FREE
The celebration will honor 7 women of distinction in the community and 7 women of distinction in American history.

Price: free

Phone: (518) 474-5877

Age Suitability: None Specified

Tags: There are no tags.

For more local events visit: http://events.timesunion.com/timesunion.com

References:

New York is proud to post the record of its compliance with the “Notification and Federal Employment Anti-Discrimination and Retaliation Act” (No FEAR Act):

Who is covered?

Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration