Do you remember the movie Imitation of Life? It was a tear-jerker movie. Near the end, Mahalia Jackson belts out the song Trouble of the World, as the camera pans the crowded room of solemn faces. As we near the end of Women’s History Month, I want to share a snippet of history on Mahalia Jackson.
YouTube Video Credit: Everybody Deserves Music
Before we dive into Ms. Jackson’s history, here are a couple of facts about Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week on March 7, 1982. In 1987 Congress passed a public law designating the month of March as Women’s History Month.
As I was listening to the radio Sunday morning a song came on with Mahalia Jackson singing and an upbeat rhythm in the background. The host gave a peek into Mahalia background, this struck a spark and led me to seek more information.
Born in New Orleans, Mahalia Jackson began singing at the age of four years. She moved to Chicago when she was 16 years old. While there, she began touring with the Johnson Brothers, Chicago’s first professional gospel group. Mahalia Jackson, the Queen of Gospel, was the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall.
In addition to singing, Mahalia Jackson was a Civil Right Activist. She sang at the March on Washington at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Read more of Mahalia Jackson’s story by clicking here.
Mahalia Jackson’s story lets us know that dreams do come true. Women make a difference, whether it’s in your family, your church or your community, you have a voice. What legacy will you create?
No comments:
Post a Comment