Lee Ritenour
American jazz guitarist, session musician, and composer
Lena Horne was an iconic African-American performer who had a long and successful career in film, television, and theater. She was also a civil rights activist, known for her advocacy and participation in the March on Washington in 1963. Despite retiring in the 1980s, Horne continued to perform and record music well into the 1990s.
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About the Lena Horne
Lena Mary Calhoun Hornewas an American singer, actress, dancer and civil rights activist. Horne’s career spanned more than seventy years and covered film, television and theatre. Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of sixteen and became a nightclub performer before moving on to Hollywood and Broadway.
A groundbreaking African-American performer, Horne advocated for civil rights and took part in the March on Washington in August 1963. Later she returned to her roots as a nightclub performer and continued to work on television while releasing well-received record albums. She announced her retirement in March 1980, but the next year starred in a one-woman show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music, which ran for more than 300 performances on Broadway. She then toured the country in the show, earning numerous awards and accolades. Horne continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s, retreating from the public eye in 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lena Horne was an American singer, actress, dancer, and civil rights activist. She had a career that spanned over 70 years in film, television, and theater.
Lena Horne was a groundbreaking African-American performer who advocated for civil rights. She took part in the March on Washington in August 1963.
Lena Horne joined the chorus of the Cotton Club at the age of 16 and became a nightclub performer before moving on to Hollywood and Broadway.
In 1980, Lena Horne starred in a one-woman show called ‘Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music’ which ran for over 300 performances on Broadway. She then toured the country with the show, earning numerous awards and accolades.
Lena Horne announced her retirement in March 1980, but continued recording and performing sporadically into the 1990s before retreating from the public eye in 2000.
Lena Horne was a groundbreaking African-American performer who paved the way for future generations of Black entertainers in Hollywood and on Broadway.
Lena Horne’s full name was Lena Mary Calhoun Horne.
19 Quotes by Lena Horne
- 1.
Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 2.
Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 3.
I’m not alone, I’m free. I no longer have to be a credit, I don’t have to be a symbol to anybody; I don’t have to be a first to anybody.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 4.
It’s so nice to get flowers while you can still smell the fragrance.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 5.
I remember the day tDr. King died. I wasn’t angry at the beginning. It was like something very personal in my life had been touched and finished.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 6.
My identity is very clear to me now, I am a black woman.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 7.
As much as I try, when I open my mouth, Lena comes out, And I get so mad.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 8.
Don’t be afraid to feel as angry or as loving as you can, because when you feel nothing, it’s just death.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 9.
I was lucky, as many of my generation was, in having a man like Dr. King in our lives. He came at a time that we needed to take a long look at each other and see how similar we were.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 10.
I want to sing like Aretha Franklin. Before her I wanted the technical ability of Ella Fitzgerald.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 11.
I made a promise to myself to be kinder to other people.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 12.
Malcolm X raised my consciousness about myself and my people and other people more than any person I know. I knew him before he became Malcolm X.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 13.
Always be smarter than the people who hire you.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 14.
I really do hate to sing.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 15.
I told them I belong to the same organizations and clubs Mrs. Roosevelt belongs to, but with a few brave exceptions, I was still unable to do films or television for the next seven years.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 16.
I’m still learning, you know. At 80, I feel there is a lot I don’t know.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 17.
I don’t have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I’d become. I’m me, and I’m like nobody else.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 18.
You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)
- 19.
After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must be feeling. It wasn’t a nice time.
Lena HorneAmerican singer, actress, dancer and activist (1917-2010)