Marian Anderson

Marian Anderson was arguably the finest contralto of her era. Before the world discovered her, she persevered on donations and support from churches to afford her music studies. Like many artists, this extraordinary classical musician found critical acclaim and acceptance in Europe long before she achieved it in her home country of America. Following her 1930 debut in Germany, Anderson received well-deserved international applause. Throughout the mid-1930s, she continued to tour Europe, always earning extraordinary praise and devoted new fans. Her time in Europe provided significant respite from the racism she faced at home.

The famous Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini once said to Anderson, “A voice like yours is heard once in a hundred years.” However, in 1939, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), an all-white association, firmly invoked their “white artists only” policy at Constitution Hall, located near the White House. The DAR refused to allow the internationally celebrated opera singer Marian Anderson to perform her Easter concert in Constitution Hall because she was black. The DAR’s rejection of Anderson offended First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who promptly stood up for Anderson. Roosevelt arranged for Anderson to perform at the White House for the King and Queen of Great Britain. She also resigned her membership in the DAR. Working with the Department of the Interior, Eleanor Roosevelt arranged for Anderson to perform on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where an estimated crowd of 75,000 gathered to hear her incredible voice sing, among other songs, “My Country, 'Tis of Thee.”

Embarrassing indecencies in history can be hidden, banned, and erased.  Once the wrongdoing is discovered and acknowledged, change can occur. Eventually, the DAR apologized for their blatant racist treatment of Anderson and welcomed her to Constitution Hall for subsequent concerts. Marian Anderson, a remarkably forgiving and gracious artist, accepted this offer and performed at Constitution Hall. According to the DAR members’ website, Anderson “chose Constitution Hall as the place where she would launch her farewell American tour in 1964.”