Marian Anderson2/27/1897-4/8/1993

• Born in Philadelphia, PABorn in Philadelphia, PA

• Joined church choir at age 6Joined church choir at age 6

• Applied to an music school after Applied to an music school after graduation in 1921, but was turned graduation in 1921, but was turned away because she was blackaway because she was black

• She debuted with the New York She debuted with the New York Philharmonic in 1925Philharmonic in 1925

• She toured Europe in the 1930s. She She toured Europe in the 1930s. She did not encounter the same racial did not encounter the same racial prejudice there as she did in the prejudice there as she did in the United StatesUnited States

• In 1939 the Daughters of the American In 1939 the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused permission for Revolution (DAR) refused permission for her to sing to an integrated audience at her to sing to an integrated audience at Constitution Hall. The DC Board of Ed Constitution Hall. The DC Board of Ed also refused to let her use the also refused to let her use the auditorium of an all-white high school. auditorium of an all-white high school. As a result, thousands of DAR members, As a result, thousands of DAR members, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, including First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, resigned.resigned.

• The Roosevelt’s then persuaded the The Roosevelt’s then persuaded the Secretary of the Interior, Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior, Harold Ickes, to arrange an open air concert on the to arrange an open air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorialsteps of the Lincoln Memorial

• The concert was held on Easter The concert was held on Easter Sunday, 1939Sunday, 1939

• The crowd was over 75,000 people The crowd was over 75,000 people strong of all racesstrong of all races

• The concert concluded with a rendition The concert concluded with a rendition of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee”

• Was heard by millions over the radioWas heard by millions over the radio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQnzb0Jj074

• In 1943, she was invited by the DAR In 1943, she was invited by the DAR to perform to an integrated audience to perform to an integrated audience at Constitution Hall as a fundraiser at Constitution Hall as a fundraiser for the American Red Crossfor the American Red Cross

• The Federal Government still would The Federal Government still would not let her use the public high school not let her use the public high school gymnasium in DCgymnasium in DC

• 1943 she married architect 1943 she married architect Orpheus FisherOrpheus Fisher

• Anderson and Fisher tried to buy a Anderson and Fisher tried to buy a farm, were barred many times farm, were barred many times because they were blackbecause they were black

• Finally bought 100 acre farm near Finally bought 100 acre farm near Danbury, Connecticut. Named it Danbury, Connecticut. Named it Marianna FarmMarianna Farm

• Built an acoustic rehearsal studio on Built an acoustic rehearsal studio on the farmthe farm

• Couple remained on the farm until Couple remained on the farm until Fisher’s death in 1986. Anderson Fisher’s death in 1986. Anderson stayed until 1992, one year before stayed until 1992, one year before her deathher death

• 1972 was awarded the UN Peace Prize1972 was awarded the UN Peace Prize

• Retired from singing in 1965Retired from singing in 1965

• Kennedy Center Honors in 1978Kennedy Center Honors in 1978

• Lifetime achievement Grammy in 1991Lifetime achievement Grammy in 1991

• Has an award named after her. The Has an award named after her. The Marian Anderson Award is given to an Marian Anderson Award is given to an artist who exhibits leadership in a artist who exhibits leadership in a humanitarian areahumanitarian area

• Died in 1993 of heart failure at the age Died in 1993 of heart failure at the age of 96 in Portland, Oregonof 96 in Portland, Oregon