What Are Lena Horne's Accomplishments

“Don’t be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it’s just death.” – Lena Horne. Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was born June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York to Edwin Horne Jr. and Edna Scottron. During the Great Depression Lena got her first job in show business when her parents pulled her out of school to help support her family during times of financial hardship. Although she felt that she was not a great singer, she was hired at the Cotton Club to be part of the chorus. Lena felt that her success was mainly due to her looks rather than her vocal abilities. During the 1940’s the atmosphere in show business, and everywhere else, had obvious tones of racism and the black performers were treated very poorly.

Among her many accomplishments on the silver screen, Lena has earned several oscars, tony awards, the NAACP Image Award and Pied Piper award, , a lifetime achievement award, and is on the Hollywood walk of fame and the International Civil Rights walk of fame. Lena has also been awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Howard University. Although Lena is no longer living, she is remembered today as one of the most elegant, classy, yet down to earth women in Hollywood. Her beauty, glamor, and accomplishments will continue to be regarded by her fans. Lena was one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood and the first female African American actress to receive a long-term contract. Lena signed a seven year contract with MGM. While her contract with MGM brought her many roles, in a way it also restricted her roles. She refused to take typical African American roles but the jobs offered to her were still limited and she was often turned down in favor of a white actress. For example, in Show Boat, MGM chose Ava Gartner in place of Lena, to play the part of Julia. This was a huge letdown for Lena who had preformed many of the songs from the movie under the MGM contract and had thought she would be a shoe in for the

In addition to the negative sentiments that she faced from her fellow black entertainers, Lena was accused of being a communist. In the 1950’s Lena, and many other actors and actresses of her time, was blacklisted based on accusations of communism. This blacklisting occurred 3 years after she married her second husband, Lenny Hayton. Lena and Lenny faced ridicule and cruelty from others who felt negatively about their interracial marriage. Despite all of this, the pair was successful both romantically and professionally. Lenny opened many doors for Lena and she was able to perform in places that she might not have been able to before and to stay in hotels that she might not have been permitted residence in. After the blacklisting was removed, in 1956, Lena signed a recording contract with RCA Victor and recorded many of the songs that she is famous for today such as Stormy