Not just another pretty Hollwyood face, Lena Horne was an original and there will never be another like her. She transformed the image of the Black women on screen from giggling and eye rollin’ mammies and maids becoming the first African-American sex symbol and Star. Though she could’ve simply passed and remained quiet about all the injustice around her, she chose to take a stand against the racism that is prevalent in Hollywood even to this day. I can’t even imagine the courage that it took for her to rise against it back in the 40s! She refused roles that were demeaning to women and to African Americans. (Unfortunately, there seems to be a move to take us backward in time with trifling sagas and portrayals by Black women, like in that awful “Precious”!) In addition, when performing the cabaret circuit, she fought against segregated venues. Ms. Horne also refused to play the obvious and overt sex symbol. Instead, Horne became synonymous with sophistication and class, which was also a first for a Black female star. The world has lost an incredible woman and a bright beautiful light!
TGATP remembers Lena Horne for both her talent and her courageous activism!
