The Passing of an Icon

The legendary singer and actress Lena Horne died this past Sunday at the age of 92. She was an inspiration to many because despite the many barriers put before her, she used her talent and will to push forward and be a great success.


Lena Horne was the first black woman to be signed to a long-term contract by a major Hollywood studio. She helped break racial boundaries by acting alongside white entertainers, however she was segregated on screen when those movies ran in the South.


In the 1950s, she was blacklisted because of her friendship with Paul Robeson and W.E.B. Du Bois. In 1963, Lena Horne took part in the March on Washington alongside Harry Belafonte and Dick Gregory and was part of an activist group, that met with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy movement against segregation. Horne went on to have an impressive 60 year career of singing on stage, television, and on film.


 
 "You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way." - Lena Horne

For more on Lena Horne check out this tribute to her at TheGlobeandMail.com.
Rest in peace lovely lady!

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