We celebrate beautiful Dorothy Dandridge as the first woman of African descent to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1954. Dorothy was a successful actress, singer and dancer who started performing when was eleven years old.

Genesis:-

First, be aware that she comes from a pedigree of entertainers. Starting with her mother who was an actress and her grandfather, Mr. Butler who was an entertainer. There is no way this child could have been anything else. In fact at a point, she sang at shows with her sister. And they were known as The Dandridge Sisters. They did not entertain together for long though.

Anyway, Dorothy was an excellent actress, enchanting dancer and soulful singer. She was a complete package. Though it was the era of segregation, she shone bright like a diamond. Otherwise, how do you explain playing uncredited parts in movies?. Or using her singing voice to sync with someone else’s lips?

In spite of segregation, by the time she played Carmen in the movie, ‘Carmen Jones’, there was nothing left to be said. She conquered Hollywood.

Singing and dancing career:-

In addition, Dorothy Dandridge was such a great singer and dancer that she was at the prestigious Apollo Theater, Mucambo Night club and Cotton Club. She also performed as a band singer in some movies and acted in over thirty movies in her life time.

Closing:-

Though the life of Ms. Dandridge was short, she lived an unforgettable life. She also left a rich legacy for other women, especially African women. African women could dream of and aim for Oscar and bafta awards, and actually win them.

Dorothy is evidence that you do not have to live for many years to be an inspiration to many. Do you agree? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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