Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters

      Ethel Waters was the first African American to star in her own television show. The show was Beulah and it aired in 1950. She also won an Emmy for her performance in "Goodnight, Sweet Blues," an episode of the TV show Route 66.

      Her voice stood out among her peers as she had a more reserved way of singing than the open vocals of other African American women at the time.

      Waters is best known for her performances on Broadway and singing songs such as "Stormy Weather" and "St. Louis Blues." She produced two autobiographies, His Eye Is On The Sparrow and To Me It's Wonderful.

     Ethel Waters lived a tough childhood. Her mother was only 12 when she had Ethel as a result of rape. Ethel was sent to be raised by relatives that were physically abusive. Sometimes she was forced to steal food so she wouldn't go hungry. She was also arranged into an abusive marriage that only lasted a year. 

     For someone with such a dreary childhood, her success is inspirational. Not only was she held back by society as a black woman in the 1900s-1970s, she was held back by family and circumstance. Her success can only be attributed to herself and her perseverance. Ethel Waters is truly an amazing individual.

White, Claytee D. "Ethel Waters (1896-1977)", Black Past, Feb 11, 2007, 

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/waters-ethel-1896-1977/

Extravagant Crowd. "Ethel Waters", Extravagant Crowd, no date given, 

http://brbl-archive.library.yale.edu/exhibitions/cvvpw/gallery/waters1.html

No author given. "Ethel Waters", Broadway, no date given, 

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/ethel-waters/