Lena+Horne

In an era characterized by racism, Lena Horne rose against the hollywood stereotypes and broke barriers for not only women, but for African-Americans as well.Her mixed background of African-American, Native American, and white left her with a fair complexion that many advised her to take advantage of,but she refused and took pride in playing African-American roles. Mary Calhoun Horne was born in 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, although she spent the majority of her childhood in Fort Valley, Atlanta. Lena grew up in African-American middle class. As a child Lena's parents, Edna Scottron and Edwin "teddy" Horne, separated and she was sent to live with her grandparents and uncle as her mother sought work as an actress. It was within her grandmothers home where she was exposed to civil rights issues, as her grandmother frequently took her to [|NAACP] meetings. At two years old, Lena became the youngest member of the NAACP.

As a child, around six years old, Lena Joined her mother as a dancer on tour. Ms.Horne quit school at the age of 14 and It was around the age of sixteen when Lena recieved her first big break and performed as a chorus girl at the [|Cotton Club] in Harlem, New York. Ms. Horne made her singing debut in 1936 and it was in 1940, she became the first African American to tour with an all white band as she toured with Charlie Barnet.While on tour Barnet, Lena was heavily exposed to racism as she often wasnt allowed the same privileges as her fellow bandmates. This proved to be to disappointing for lena as she left the band in search for work in New York.

At 21 years old, Lena stared in her first film titled, "The Duke is Tops". Lena then signed a contract with MGM, on one of the biggest movie production companies at that time.Lena was often encouraged to pass for "white" when chosing roles, but she refused to do soShe was the first black artist to sign a long-term contract with a major movie studio. While under the management of MGM, Lena's movies were shot so that her scenes could be edited out when shown in the south because she wasn't playing a subservient character to the whitectors. Lena made it very evident in her movie roles that she would not play the stereotypical role expected from Black actresses. Upon meeting with MGM she hired a NAACP representative so that she wouldnt have to play subservient African-American roles. While under her MGM contract,Lena would only sing a song or two with no significant speaking role because she refused to play the stereotypical African-American role. Her big break didn't come until she stared opposite [|Ethel Waters]in the all black musical "Cabin in the sky". She was the first black artist to sign a long-term contract with a major movie studio. It was in 1943 that MGM loaned Lena's talents to 20th Century Fox as she stared as Selina Rogers in the all black musical production [|"Stormy Weather"]. This role catapulted her into the music industry as her rendition of the title song became a hit on the music charts In 1944 Lena divorced her first husband Louis J Johnson whom she had two children with to recreate her performing career. Lena eventually obtained the chance to perform in Europe where she became romantically involved with Lennie Hayton. The two fell deep in love and were ready to be married but because he was white it was illegal. It wasn't until December 1947 that the two married in Paris, and even so they kept their marriage a two and a half year secret.

Despite her musical success Lena was often branded as a communist because of her association with [|Paul Robeson]and her connection with civil rights activities. This association with Communism and civil rights activities forced Lena to be blacklisted and hindered her from performing in movies and on television. During this time Lena was limited to perform in nightclubs and other venues of that nature. In 1957 Lena performed at the [|Waldorf-Astoria]. The record Label RCA,saw this as a golden opportunity and brought along recording equipment and recorded what would be known as "Lena Horne Live at the Waldorf-Astoria", an album that would reach the Top 25 Billboard charts, and wouldbe the best selling album by a female artist on RCA at that time. Lena, with her beautiful voice,won three grammy awards, was featured in 16 films, and appeared on broadway a countless number of times. At 63 Lena opted not to retire but instead perform on Broadway in a one woman show titled "Lena Horne: The Lady and her Music" and was awarded a Tony Award for it was performed 333 times, the longest run for a one person broadway show. It was in 1984 at 65 years old, Lena received the Kennedy Center Honors for Lifetime achievement in the arts,and in 1989 Lena won the Grammy lifetime achievement award.After a long life of fighting of the racism concomitant with Hollywood in the 1940's Lena emerged with an extensive list of accomplishments, not only for herself but the for every African-American. Her Albums Her movies
 * 1957 At The Waldorf Astoria
 * 1958 Give The Lady What She Wants
 * 1959 Porgy And Bess (with Harry Belafonte)
 * 1962 Lean On The Blue Side
 * 1963 Lena ... Lovely and Alive
 * 1976 It's Love, Lena: A New Album
 * 1940 - Harlem On Parade
 * 1941 - Panama Hattie
 * 1942 - Boogie Woogie Dream
 * 1942 - G.I. Jubilee
 * 1943 - Cabin In The Sky[[image:lena-horne-620.jpeg align="left"]]
 * 1943 - Stormy Weather
 * 1943 - The Duke Is Tops
 * 1945 - Harlem Hot Shots
 * 1944 - Boogie Woogie Dream
 * 1944 - Hi-De-Ho Holiday
 * 1944 - My New Gown
 * 1946 - Jivin' The Blues
 * 1946 - Mantan Messes Up
 * 1946 - Till the Clouds Roll By
 * 1950 - Duchess of Idaho
 * 1956 - Meet Me in Las Vegas
 * 1969 - Death of a Gunfighter
 * 1978 - The Wiz!
 * 1994 - That's Entertainment III
 * 1994 - An Evening with Lena Horne

Works Cited

Cason, Caroline. "Lena Horne ." __The New Georgia Encyclopedia__. 2008. 9 Feb 2009 .  "Lena Horne ." __American Masters__. PBS. 9 Feb 2009 .  "Lena Horne Biography (1917-)." __bio. true story__. 19 Feb 2009 .  "Lena Horne ." __About.com Women's History__. 19 Feb 2009 .  "Lena Horne Biography." __Starpulse.com__. 19 Feb 2009 .