Lena Horne
Lena Horne (1917–2010) was an American singer, actress, and civil-rights activist whose career spanned classic Hollywood, jazz, and Broadway.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Horne began performing as a teenager and rose through stage and
nightclub work before becoming a nationally recognized vocalist and entertainer in the early
1940s.
In the 1940s, she became one of the most prominent Black women in mainstream American
entertainment. Her film appearances and musical performances helped expand visibility, even
as segregation-era studio practices often limited roles for Black performers.
During World War II, Horne performed for troops and spoke out against discrimination. Over
time, she became an influential voice supporting civil-rights causes and demanding better
treatment and opportunity for Black artists.
Horne sustained a long career through recordings, concerts, television, and acclaimed stage
work. She is remembered for musical elegance, star power, and a lifelong commitment to
dignity and equality in American culture.
