ipl-logo

Billie Holiday Essay

588 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essays on how influential billie holiday was

• On April 7th, 1915, Eleanora Fagan was born to Sarah Fagan and Clarence Holiday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. • Sadly, her father left Eleanora and her mother to pursue a music career. Her mother could not support Eleanora so she was sent to live with her aunt in Baltimore, Maryland.0 • Because of her difficult childhood, Eleanora dropped out of school and moved to Harlem, where she began her music career. She worked hard and despite horrible circumstances in her life, she kept on going and soon began to realize her voice would be heard. • Around 1930, Eleanora changed her name to Billie Holiday. Choosing the name Billie after film star Billie Dove and taking her father’s last name of Holiday. • In 1933, Billie Holiday was discovered …show more content…

• The recording industry can be ruthless at times and Billie once said, “People don't understand the kind of fight it takes to record what you want to record the way you want to record it”. • Billie’s trademark turned out to be the white gardenias she wore in her hair and tilting her head back when she sang. • Even though, Billie Holiday was paid a top wage for that time, much of her money went to unhealthy habits she pursued in her personal life. • Billie sang over 350 different songs during her lifetime. Her voice could be very strong yet quiet at the same time. • During her lifetime, she fought racism and sexism and despite her great personal tragic life triumphed through with a profound artistic soul. • It was only after her death, the society who has so often held her down; realized she was the true voice of the times and then held her up as the genuine trail blazer she was. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. A statue of her in her honor stands at the corner of Lafayette and Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. She was also inducted into the Apollo Theater’s Walk of Fame on April 6, 2015. Four days later, Cassandra Wilson, a Grammy-winning artist will headline at the Apollo Theater for the first time to honor Billie Holiday on the very same stage Billie first performed in

Show More
Related
536 Words | 3 Pages

She soon died on October 4, 1951 at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore at the young age of 31. She soon because one of the most famous dead person. What made her unique?

Read More
717 Words | 3 Pages

In 1947 she became the first New York City Ballet prima ballerinas and held that title for the next 13 years (1). In 1996 she was one of only five artists to get the Kennedy Center Honor contribution (1). She was inducted to the national women’s hall of fame and awarded the National Medal of Arts (1). She

Read More
499 Words | 2 Pages

Deontae Morales P.8 2/15/18 Mae Jemison Mae Jemison an amazing astronaut born and raised In Decatur, Alabama was the first African-American to be admitted into the astronaut program that was one of her many other accomplishment Mae Jemison earned her M.D. in the university of California, Jemison also was the first African-American astronaut. Mae Jemison achieved a lot in her time from being the first African American astronaut to earning the title of science mission specialist. " on June 4,1987 Mae c. Jemison became the first African American woman to be admitted into NASA astronaut training program" https://www.biography.com/people/mae-c-jemison-9542378.

Read More
641 Words | 3 Pages

Her real name was Rubye Blevins. Her name “Rubye” was originally spelled “Ruby”, but she added an “e” to the end to make it sound and look more sophisticated. She was the 11th child and first daughter of a farmer. (Sandra Brennan) She attended school at President Bill Clinton’s hometown of Hope. As a child, her musical inspiration was Jimmie Rodgers.

Read More
482 Words | 2 Pages

Mae C. Jemison Mae Jemison was the first african american astronaut. She was the first african american women in space. She first went into space on the Endeavour. She was also the first african american women to be accepted into the space academy training program.

Read More
1034 Words | 5 Pages

Annie Oakley Annie Oakley was a famous sharpshooter in the late 1800’s. She became known as one of the leading women of the American west. One of her famous quotes was: “Aim at a high mark and you’ll hit it. No not the first time, not the second and maybe not the third. But keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect.

Read More
931 Words | 4 Pages

However, the 1910 census showed her as age 16. April 15, 1894 has appeared on other documents and was then regarded as Bessie’s birthday. Bessie Smith was the daughter of Laura and William Smith. William Smith was a laborer and part-time Baptist minister, but he died before his daughter could remember him. By the time Bessie was nine, her mother and one

Read More
957 Words | 4 Pages

As a woman, her voice was not very loudly heard, but that didn’t stop her. Even after her death in October of 1818, her legacy continued through her countless writings about the issues of

Read More
1202 Words | 5 Pages

She proved them all wrong. Mae Carol Jemison was influenced and inspired by her surroundings at a very young age. Jemison lived in a place where there was discrimination against women. Mae C. Jemison was born on October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama, but later moved to Chicago Illinois, when she was 3 years old.

Read More
882 Words | 4 Pages

She showed all African American women and men that they can achieve the impossible and have an intelligent mind like everyone else. Even African American poets from today like Alice Walker found her as an inspiration. In one of her poems about being brought to america, she perfectly summarizes what the struggle was being a slave that is equal to everyone

Read More
703 Words | 3 Pages

Billie Holiday is one of the most influential jazz singers of her time. Her attitude, determination and most of all her music inspired artists throughout time and inspired major social change. Throughout her lifetime she explored the world of jazz, her identity, and how far the limits of her talent would take her. She exchanged her poor life, full of drugs and scandal for a life of performing the arts and showcasing her talents and abilities. Her incredible determination led her to do what she loved regardless of what anyone thought , which led to her inciting major social exchange; moving black suffering into white consciousness.

Read More
1000 Words | 4 Pages

Katharine Drexel was a person who truly believed in helping the poor and the oppressed people within society. It is because of that, Drexel is known as the patron saint of racial justice and philanthropists (“The Life and Legacy”). She strived to live a humble and helpful life, ensuring those around her were taken care of in every way possible. However, despite her humility brought about through her profession, she was not brought up living a meek and small life. Katherine Drexel was born into an extremely wealthy family who always taught and led by the idea that “wealth was to be shared with those in need”(“The Life and Legacy”).

Read More
284 Words | 2 Pages

This made her a historical celebrity for generations to come, and has set an example of american inequality. After the war, most women in the nation went back to their current positions and jobs in both the economy and society. Their acts had however, truly

Read More
1218 Words | 5 Pages

Often referred to as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most popular female jazz singers in the United States. Throughout her career, Ella was awarded thirteen Grammys and sold over 40 million albums. With a voice that not only encompassed a large range, but a dynamic and powerful sound, Ella could sing almost anything from scatting to the popular tunes of her day. She performed in the top venues all around the world to packed houses, with audiences as diverse as the music she created. Ella came from a small town and impoverished family, but through her talent and determination, skyrocketed to fame creating a legacy that has withstood the sands of time.

Read More
585 Words | 3 Pages

Billie Holiday lived a tumultuous life as she went through many ups and downs during her childhood and into her adulthood. Billie Holiday was only eighteen years old when she was discovered singing in nightclubs and soon found great success as a jazz singer. In spite of her lack of musical training, Holiday’s distinct singing caught the attention of her audience and she became one of the greatest jazz singers of the twentieth century. However, despite the remarkable success Billie achieved, she continuously battled with substance abuse until the end of her life. Holiday may have had a tragic life, but her emotional, melancholic voice made her an imperative presence in the period of jazz.

Read More

More about Billie Holiday Essay

Related Topics

Open Document