Fiv Ma Rainey's 'Mother Of The Blues'

Creative Process Paper
Sharon D. Blaire
University of Phoenix
Art Through the Ages/ HUM 266
Bud Hollowell
March 04, 2009

Creative Process Paper Many nations throughout history have admired the wealth and democratic freedoms that individuals have in America. This admiration stems from the special nature of our population, choice of religious beliefs, racial mix of people, and cultural that makes this nation a melting pot. African American culture is one of several nationalities that make America special. Without African Americans contributions this nation would not be as great of a country. Even though we continue to face racial division in the United States, African Americans within that last 40 years have contributed positively to political issues as well as educational influence. This essay will explore the lives of
five African Americans; Mary Eliza Church Terrell, Ma Rainey, Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, and Edmonia Lewis, these individuals contributed to America’s greatness. Mary Eliza Church Terrell was a child born into slavery in Memphis, Tennessee to Robert Reed Church and Louisa Ayers Church. Terrell’s parents both owned small businesses which provided Mary and her brother opportunities that other African American’s children were not privilege to have, for example; the opportunity of obtaining a great education. After receiving her Bachelor and Masters from Oberlin College in Ohio, Mary taught different languages at a Wilberforce University in Washington, D.C. after taking a two-year tour across Europe, she married a lawyer, Robert Heberton, who became the first black municipal court judge in the nation’s capital. Mary was an advocate of women’s rights as well as an active member of the National American Women Suffrage Association. This organization addressed concerns or issues that impact black women. In 1896 Terrell became the first president of the National Association of Colored Women. This organization worked to accomplish educational and social reform as well as end discrimination practices. In 1895, Mary was the first black woman to be appointed to the District of Columbia Board of Education. Terrell was also a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mrs. Terrell was known for being an articulate spokesperson, a creative writer, and a political organizer. She addressed issues such as the Jim Crow Law, the convict lease system, and lynching of colored people. Terrell was honored for her accomplishments by receiving doctorates from Oberlin, Wilberforce, and Howard University. Ma Rainey was often called the “Mother of the Blues.” She was known for wearing a chain around her neck with gold dollars attached to it.
This trademark gave her the name “Gold Necklace Woman of the Blues.” Ma Rainey was born Gertrude Pridgett in Columbus, Georgia to Thomas Pridgett and Ella Allen Pridgett. In the 1900, Rainey worked at the Springer Opera House where she performed in a local talent show, “A Bunch of Blackberries” as a singer and dancer. Pridgett married a comedy songster, William “Pa” Rainey on February 02, 1904. The couple together toured cabarets and tent shows before beginning her recording career in 1923. Ma Rainey recorded more than 100 songs by some famous singers, such as Louis Austin and Louis Armstrong. Rainey was known for her professionalism on stage as well as in business. Ma Rainey’s recordings were straightforward stories that addressed issues such as promiscuity, heart break, drinking binges, and superstition. These were all issues that affected the southern landscape of African Americans in the Post-Reconstruction era. Pridgett retired in the 1930’s due to the decline in female blues
singers. Ma Rainey’s obituary stated she was a housekeeper when she died, but she will always be known in the music archives as a singer who continues to influence blues artists. Between the years 1983 and 1990 she was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was also honored on the United States postage stamp in 1994. Marian Anderson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1897 to John and Anna Anderson. Marian’s father worked for Reading Terminal Market as a loader and her mother was a teacher. Anderson was the oldest of three children; she attended William Penn High School focusing primarily on commercial education in order to get a job. She transferred to South Philadelphia High School where she focused on music and singing. Marian applied at a local music school, but was denied admission because of the color of her skin. Marian performed and won a contest through the Philadelphia Philharmonic Society and in 1925 won the Lewisohn Stadium competition where she went on to beat 300 other contestants by singing in the New York amphitheater with the Philharmonic Orchestra accompanying her. This triumph gained the attention of Arthur Judson who placed her under contract. Anderson toured all over Europe, performed at 142 concerts in Scandinavia, as well as performing in Latin America 70 times per year. Although Anderson suffered acts of racism during her musical career, she never lost focus of her mission, which was to represent her people. Marian’s achievement in music has inspired African Americans to join the genre of classical music. April 8, 1993, Anderson lost her life due to heart failure at the age of 96; over 2,000 admirers attended her memorial at Carnegie Hall.