Famous and Notable Black Women Posters, “A...-”
for the social studies classroom, home schoolers and theme decor.

Debbie Allen
Ivie Anderson

Marian Anderson

Debbie Allen
b. 1-16-1950; Houston, TX

Debbie Allen, actress, dancer, choreographer, television director and producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, introduced the character of the dance teacher Lydia Grant in the movie and television program Fame. She also appeared in Broadway musicals Purlie, West Side Story (1980), Sweet Charity; television shows Good Times, A Different World, and Roots: The Next Generations, and is a judge on So You Think You Can Dance.

Allen is the younger sister of actress Phylicia Rashad, mother of dancer Vivian Nixon, and teacher of choreography to Paula Abdul.

• “You've got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat.” - as Lydia Grant in Fame.

Ivie Anderson
b. 7-10-1905; Gilroy, CA
d. 12-28-1949; LA. CA (complications of asthma)

Singer Ivie Anderson performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra between 1931-1942, singing such Jazz standards as “It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)”, as well as appearing as a singer in the Marx Brothers movie A Day at the Races.

Marian Anderson
b. 2-27-1897; Philadelphia, PA
d. 4-8-1993; Oregon

Marian Anderson, considered by many to be one of the greatest contraltos ever, gained her first public renown in 1925 when she appeared as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic. Because of race discrimination in United States Anderson spent the next dozen years touring Europe and South America, where she became a major star. Her concert at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 was a peak event in raising the national consciousness about race and equality.

• more opera singers

Maya Angelou
née Marguerite Annie Johnson
b. 4-4-1928; St. Louis, Missouri

Though best known as an author and activist Maya Angelou also received a dance and drama scholarship in high school. She performed in a European production of Porgy and Bess (1954-55), studied modern dance with Martha Graham, and danced with Alvin Ailey.

"Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning."
On the Pulse of Morning

• more Maya Angelou posters
• American Authors of the 20th Century Posters