Marian Anderson Clover

Marian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century, known for triumphing over racial prejudice and inspiring America's civil rights movement. Born on February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she became the first African-American singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955 and received numerous honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She died on April 8, 1993, in Portland, Oregon.