With Black History Month upon us, I wanted to share these inspiring and ravishing women who paved the way as Pin-Ups. During a time when Caucasian women were widely accepted by society as sex symbols, these ladies certainly had to be bold and brazen enough to break the mold. Their stories are sometimes scarce, however every single one of these women has had some kind of impact on the progression of civil rights and the inclusion of African-American women into the entertainment industry.
Aida Walker
Aida was from Richmond, Virginia and was a Vaudeville entertainer between 1900 and 1914. She began as a solo dancer, however later performed alongside her husband George Walker. When her husband fell ill, she would continue to take the stage and perform his parts in drag. She was quoted: "I venture to think and dare to state that our profession does more toward the alleviation of color prejudice than any other profession among colored people."
Josephine Baker
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she reigns proudly as the first African-American woman to ever grace American movie screen in a major Motion Picture. As a dancer in the 1920's, it was very controversial that she would refuse to perform for a segregated audience. Josephine later married a Frenchman and renounced her United States citizenship. During World War II she worked as a French Resistance Agent, and had been awarded a Croix de Guerre for her service.
Marie Bryant
Marie hailed from Meridian, Mississippi and she started dancing at a very early age, after taking interest in the works of Josephine Baker. She debuted as a professional exotic dancer in 1934, and performed with many reputable musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. She starred in many big films and even showed Marlon Brando the ropes as his dance instructor!
Madeliene "Sahji" Jackson
A talented exotic dancer of the 1930's - 1950's "Sahji" AKA Madeliene Jackson was most famous for her role in the movie Jivin' in BeBop. Her dance style was a fierce and unique interpretation of Belly Dance.
Pearl Bailey
This woman does it all! Pearl was a master of many trades, gracing the entertainment world with Jazz, Comedy, Acting and Dance. After a childhood stint in the Vaudeville industry, she became a singer and toured with the USO during World War II. Eventually she made her way on to the Broadway stage as the main character in "Hello, Dolly!", also starring in her own television show. Her sultry and often time raw voice created such popular hits as "Frankie and Johnny" and "It takes two to tango”.
Dinah Washington
Born Ruth Lee Jones in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, she took to singing gospel at an early age in her local church. After winning a talent contest at 15, she decided to pursue music as a career by performing in local clubs after her move to Chicago, Illinois. She rightfully dubbed herself "The Queen of Blues." She had numerous hits, which are still recognizable today, such as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "What a difference a day makes."She was posthumously inducted into the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Dorothy Dandridge
g Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dorothy was on the stage very early in her life performing song and dance acts alongside her sisters for 5 years. Her family struggled during the depression and took a chance at moving to Hollywood. Pursuing a solo career, she toured many nightclubs such as the Apollo and the Cotton Club. As a recording artist, she was very popularized by her roles in "soundies" which were short films that were displayed on Jukeboxes across the country. She even landed a significant number of movie roles, and a lead role in the Movie "Carmen Jones." She was active in the civil rights movement during the 1960's as a member of the NAACP.
Jean Idelle
A resident of Brooklyn, New York, Jean began her dancing career in New York City at the age of 20 despite disapproval from her mother. She was the first African-American woman to integrate the burlesque industry, and she specialized in her ostrich feather fan dance. She gave up her career to start a family, although she was earning $1,000 a month while dancing. Jean reemerged in 2012 and performed on stage at her induction to the Burlesque Hall Of Fame.
Lottie "The Body" Graves
Lottie "The Body", pictured here with T-Bone Walker, was Born in Syracuse, New York. Starting off as a model where she earned her nickname, she then began her dance career at the Age of 17 in New York City. Her dance style and music of choice was said to have been Afro-Cuban in nature. In the 1950's she moved to the Bay Area of California and married Harlem Globetrotter, Goose Tatum. After her divorce in the 1960's, she took up residence in Detroit, Michigan.
Venus La Doll
"The Bronze Goddess of Love" Venus Irving Prescott AKA Venus La Doll, started off her entertainment ventures as a dancer and comedian. She made fair wages as such, however she took a chance with the burlesque industry and never looked back because her weekly pay doubled! She frequently performed at Chicago nightclubs and was also featured in Jet Magazine.
Della Reese
Della is a famed Jazz and Gospel singer, Ordained Minister, as well as Television and Movie star from Detroit,
Michigan. She was part Native American and her mother was a cook for the Cherokee tribe. Her singing endeavors began when she was 6 years old, where she sang gospel in church. She took an interest in acting at a young age and was in many films and television series. She was the first African American Woman to Host "The Tonight show starring Johnny Carson.” In 2017, she was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
Toni Elling
Toni Elling AKA "Satin Doll" was another entertainer born in Detroit, Michigan. She worked as a telephone operator until her 30's, when a friend suggested she try her hand at Burlesque. She rose to the top of the Burlesque industry in the 1960's. She always maintained her modesty and never removed her underwear because it's "entertainment, yes, but the idea is to suggest what’s there, not throw off all your clothes and reveal everything. That’s why they call it strip-tease." She was inducted into, and performed again, at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in 2016.
Miss Topsy
Mary Elizabeth Thompson, AKA "Miss Topsy" worked as a burlesque dancer over the course of 1962 into the 1970's. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri and worked as a secretary before taking up dancing. Miss Topsy was a top performer and adored all throughout Europe, Asia and The United States. She was one of the first African-American women to headline a an event outside of the United States. She left burlesque to lead a more simple life and raise a family.
Did we miss anyone? Feel free to comment below if we should add to this!
Who is your favorite??
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