Lena
Horne, the esteemed jazz vocalist and civil rights pioneer who
died earlier this week at the age of 92, was honored by a resolution
passed bu the U.S. Senate this afternoon (May 14), just as Horne's
friends and admirers paid her tribute at a New York memorial service.
The resolution, introduced by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and
passed unanimously by the entire Senate, recognized Horne's lifelong
efforts as an actress, singer and civil rights activist. Introducing the
measure, Senator Gillibrand said, "Lena Horne's legendary voice and her
lifelong dedication to fighting inequality will continue to inspire
future generations of Americans. While we join together to mourn the
loss of an American treasure and icon, we also celebrate Lena Horne's
incredible life and legacy. I offer my condolences to her family and
friends."
The bipartisan resolution was co-sponsored by: Senators Susan Collins
(R-ME), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Roland Burris (D-IL),
Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Robert Casey (D-PA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Barbara
Boxer (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Bill Nelson (D-FL), and Charles
Schumer (D-NY).
Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) will be
submitting a similar resolution in the United States House of
Representatives in the coming days.
In New York, Horne was remembered at her funeral on Friday as a shy girl
from Brooklyn who fought racism for decades to emerge as a world-class
singer and social activist.
"She was so many ideas existing all at the same time in the same space
and they were all conflicting and they were all true," her
granddaughter, Jenny Lumet, told hundreds of mourners at the Church of
St. Ignatius Loyola in Manhattan.
They included fellow entertainers Chita Rivera, Diahann Carroll, Dionne
Warwick, Cicely Tyson and Jinji Nicole.
"I've tried to sum her up and I can't sum her up," said Lumet, daughter
of the director Sidney Lumet.
"To sum something up means it's over - and I think that she's not over
and that she's quite infinite."
May 14, 2010 -
Thousands mourn jazz
singer Lena Horne in NYC
The Associated Press
Thousands of mourners are bidding a final farewell to jazz singer and
actress Lena Horne in New York City. Horne was remembered at her funeral
Friday as a shy girl from Brooklyn who broke through decades of racism
to emerge as a world-class entertainer and social leader. She died
Sunday at age 92.
Mourners at St. Ignatius Loyola in Manhattan included her
granddaughter, actress Jenny Lumet, former Mayor David Dinkins and
singer Chita Rivera.
Broadway star Audra McDonald stood over the casket and sang
"Amazing Grace."
Horne's seductive voice dazzled the world for decades with tunes
like "My Blue Heaven" and "Stormy Weather." She was among a handful of
black actors and actresses to have a
Lena Horne, who died Sunday at age 92, is scheduled to be remembered at a
funeral mass on Friday at St. Ignatius Loyola Church on Park Avenue in
Manhattan. Her casket will leave the Frank E. Campbell Funeral home just
before 10 a.m. and be transported to the church for the funeral mass.
May 12, 2010 -
Statement by President Obama on the passing of
Lena Horne (5/10/10)
Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about
the passing of Lena Horne – one of our nation’s most
cherished entertainers. Over the years, she warmed
the hearts of countless Americans with her beautiful
voice and dramatic performances on screen. From the
time her grandmother signed her up for an NAACP
membership as a child, she worked tirelessly to
further the cause of justice and equality. In 1940,
she became the first African American performer to
tour with an all white band. And while entertaining
soldiers during World War II, she refused to
perform for segregated audiences – a principled
struggle she continued well after the troops
returned home. Michelle and I offer our condolences
to all those who knew and loved Lena , and we join
all Americans in appreciating the joy she brought to
our lives and the progress she forged for our
country.
May 9, 2010 - Lena
Horne died Sunday night at the New York Presbysterian/Weill Cornell
Medical Center in New York. She was 92 years old. Read the full story at
New York Times
December 1, 2009 - Happy
Holidays! Website
updated. New homepage and intro page. Minor updates to the entire site. New videos; new articles and etc.
Enjoy!
Lena Horne has been selected as a possible
first inductee into the
Brooklyn Hall of Fame!www.brooklynhalloffame.com
Visitors to the
website can vote, that will help to determine who the first
five inductees will be.
Help spread the word and to encourage
fans of Ms Horne's to come and vote!
STORMY WEATHER Conceived and written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen
Suggested by the biography Lena Horne, Entertainer published by Chelsea
House
By special arrangements with Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley and Armica
Productions
Music by Cole Porter, Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer, Rodgers & Hart,
Jerome Kern, Billy Strayhorn and more
Choreography by Randy Skinner
Directed by Michael Bush
January 21 – February 28, 2009
With glamour, grace and an inner fire that blazed a trail for
generations,
the legendary Lena Horne has never failed to amaze! Taking both
Hollywood and the music industry by storm, her voice has resonated
throughout the decades, not only through her incredible vocal talent
("From This Moment On," "The Lady is a Tramp" and of course "Stormy
Weather"), but also through her determination to fight for what she
believed. Don't miss the incredible Leslie Uggams in this new musical
extravaganza as she takes us on the sometimes stormy, always
extraordinary journey of an American icon.
"Conversation with...
Leslie Uggams"
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Join us for an intimate and lively discussion, moderated by Pasadena
Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps. Festivities begin on the patio
at 6:30 with live jazz and cobbler. General admission is $10. Students
with valid I.D. can get tickets for $5. Call (626) 356-7529 for tickets.
