Early Years
Lena Horne was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30th, 1917. She was raised in a middle-class family and received a quality education. Despite her parents' encouragement to pursue a career in the arts, she was discouraged by the racism and segregation of the times. She found solace in her strong faith in the African-American community and the potential for a brighter future.
Personal Life
Lena Horne married Louis J. Jones in 1937, with whom she had two children. They divorced in 1944, and she later married Lennie Hayton in 1947. She was an active civil rights activist, working with the NAACP and performing at benefits for civil rights causes.
Influences
Lena Horne's influences included jazz and blues music, black literary figures, and her own experiences as an African-American woman in a white-dominated society. She was also strongly influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the growing black political movement.
Career
Lena Horne's career spanned more than 70 years, beginning with her first professional singing job in 1935. She worked in nightclubs, performed on Broadway, and starred in numerous films, including Cabin in the Sky, Stormy Weather, and The Wiz.
Accomplishments
Lena Horne was the first African-American woman to sign a long-term movie contract with a major Hollywood studio, and she was the first African-American performer to be featured on the cover of Life magazine. She was also the first black woman to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House, in 1961, and she was the first African-American woman to host a television variety show. Her other accomplishments include receiving a Tony Award nomination for her work in the Broadway musical, “Jamaica”, as well as numerous awards for her work in civil rights.
Legacy
Lena Horne was a woman of extraordinary intelligence, wit, and beauty. She was a strong advocate for civil rights, and her powerful presence and charisma on stage and screen made her an iconic figure. Her music was deeply rooted in the African American experience and she was a powerful voice for justice and change.
