As we honor Black History Month, we focus on Marian Anderson, one of the most iconic figures in music and civil rights history. Her extraordinary voice and unwavering courage not only transformed the world of classical music but also shattered racial barriers, paving the way for generations of Black artists and marginalized people to follow.
Endearingly referred to by fans as “The Lady from Philadelphia” and “The People’s Princess,” the contralto, who passed away in 1993, is recognized for dismantling obstacles for African Americans in the arts and inspiring an emerging civil rights movement with a courageous 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington as a bold statement against racial injustice.
Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia on February 27, 1897. She lived with her mother and sisters after her father passed away when she was quite young. To support the family, her mother worked as a cleaning woman. Due to their financial struggles, Marian took a job washing steps. She showed a keen interest in music and started singing at a very early age, but her family lacked the financial means for formal training.

At age six, she began performing in the Union Baptist Church, where she performed parts written for bass, alto, tenor, and soprano voices. Congregation members raised money to enable her to attend a music school for a year.
When she turned eighteen, she applied to a music school, but they denied her admission because she was African American.
At t9, she became a student of Giuseppe Boghetti, who was so taken by her talent that he provided her with a year of free lessons.

In 1925, she entered a competition alongside 300 other participants and secured first place, earning a recital at Lewisohn Stadium in New York City with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Her performance in August 1925 was a tremendous success.
One of the most pivotal moments in Marian Anderson’s career came in 1939 when she was barred from performing at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) because of her race. The incident sparked national outrage, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, a vocal advocate for civil rights, resigned from the DAR in protest.
Anderson was invited to perform at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday in a powerful act of defiance and solidarity. On April 9, 1939, she stood before a crowd of 75,000 people and millions more listening via radio, delivering a historic performance that transcended music and became a symbol of hope and equality. Her rendition of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” resonated deeply, reminding the nation of its founding ideals of freedom and justice.

Marian Anderson’s Lincoln Memorial concert was a turning point in the fight for civil rights, but it was just one of many milestones in her groundbreaking career. In 1955, she became the first African American to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, breaking another racial barrier in classical music. Her performance as Ulrica in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera was met with critical acclaim and marked a significant step forward for Black artists in opera.
Anderson’s influence extended far beyond the stage. She used her platform to advocate for racial equality and to support emerging artists. Her grace, dignity, and unwavering commitment to justice made her a role model for countless individuals, both within and outside the Black community.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us remember Marian Anderson for her extraordinary voice, courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice. Her life reminds us that art is not just entertainment—it is a force for change, a tool for healing, and a bridge between cultures.