(AURN News) — Marian Anderson, one of the 20th century’s most celebrated singers, was born on Feb. 27, 1897, in Philadelphia.
She began singing in her church choir as a child, and her congregation raised money for vocal lessons after recognizing her extraordinary talent. Anderson’s career flourished in the 1930s and 1940s as she performed for audiences around the world. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited her to perform at the White House.
In 1939, after the Daughters of the American Revolution — which maintained a whites-only policy — barred her from singing at Constitution Hall, Anderson delivered a historic performance at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The concert became one of the defining moments of her career.
In 1955, Anderson became the first African-American to perform as a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963.
Beyond her musical achievements, Anderson was also a vocal advocate for civil rights, using her platform to speak out against discrimination and inequality.
Marian Anderson died at age 96 in 1993, leaving behind a legacy that broke barriers in music and paved the way for generations of Black performers.
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