Paying Tribute to Lena Horne

Nobody could sing like Lena Horne: her voice was so beautiful you would think you were listening to an angel, not a lovely African-American woman. Born in poverty as Lena Mary Calhoun Horne, she was destined not only to become a star but also an important activist during the 1960's. Lena was not only a gifted singer, but she was also an intelligent woman. In a time when blacks were just starting to be allowed into colleges, Lena was fond of saying that one is socialized into being second class, for nobody is born that way. Yet Lena had it slightly better than most other African-American entertainers of her era: her biracial heritage made her more acceptable to her audience, which was primarily made up of not only other African-Americans but also middle class white Americans. Skin color aside, she proved to be successful enough to pave the way for others who came from similar backgrounds and not be afraid to stand up for what they believed in. Yahoo! News reports that the legendary singer died on May 9, 2010.

Since Lena's passing, those who are familiar with her biography recall that she had a difficult time at first, refusing to work in venues that kept out African-Americans, then later taking part in the movement that would grant African-Americans equal social rights. Realizing that racism was more common than not in the 1940's and 1950's she had to contend with criticism from those who did not feel she should have a talent that appealed to non-African -Americans. Lena was one of few African-Americans to sing with a white band, and went on to have major hits with "Stormy Weather" and "Love Me Or Leave Me." She also won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989 for her numerous musical achievements.

Lena's talents were far from being confined to the concert stage and recording studio. In 1938 she made a musical in Hollywood, "The Duke Is Tops", which also starred Ralph Cooper, a master of ceremonies at the famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem. Lena struck gold, however, when she made "Cabin In the Sky" for MGM in 1943, singing a sultry number. As with "The Duke Is Tops", this movie also had a dominant African-American cast, though the number Lena sang was considered too risque and was later cut from the final film.

During the early part of my life I recall seeing Lena on television, appearing on Sesame Street, Sanford and Son, The Wiz. I recall a woman with spunk, who never let anyone - or anything - hold her back from doing what she wanted to do, and knew what she did best.