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Birthday: February 17, 1902
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Marian Anderson has inspired vast numbers of Americans for two generations. She has been called "The Century's Contralto" because of the power of her voice. Yet, her success did not come easily. The struggle for recognition and acknowledgment began early for Marian Anderson. Though she encountered failure in some of her early concerts, she never lost confidence in her ability and continued to try. In 1925, she entered a competition with over 300 other singers, won first prize, and as a result, started on a concert tour. This tour led to an appearance with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Though she was a success on the concert tour and with the New York Philharmonic, Marian Anderson found her opportunities in the United States to be limited because of her color. She then began a tour of Europe, where she met with critical acclaim. On that highly successful tour, she appeared before the crowned heads of state in a number countries.

After Anderson returned to the United States, her popularity soared, Yet, her success was met with conflict. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) refused her the right to sing in Constitution Hall in Washington DC. There was widespread protest in response to that action by the DAR. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned from the organization and helped to arrange for Marian Anderson's appearance on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter morning of 1943. Over 75,000 persons gathered to hear Anderson sing, and honor to the singer and a rejection of the position taken by the DAR.

FLASH-FACTS

Was the first black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City
Inspired a protest against segregation
Has been called "The Century's Contralto"