Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - Spring 2009 Education Guide - Index

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Lena Horne, a Hollywood icon
Bonnie Blair speed skates
into the record books
Following in the footsteps of her five older brothers and sisters, Bonnie
Blair began skating at 2 years old. Today, she is admired for her modesty and
confidence as U.S. history’s most decorated Winter athlete. Furthermore, having
won five gold medals, she is the record holder for the most gold medals
won by an American woman in any sport. The United States Olympic
Committee’s Woman Speedskater of the Year from 1985 to 1992, Bonnie also
captured the world record for overall points in the World Sprint Speed Skating
Championships in 1989. Bonnie skated the 500 meter event faster than any
woman had before or has since, capturing the gold medal in a world record
time of 39.1. This record stood for 5 years until she beat her own record with
a time of 38.99 seconds.
— Tribune Staff Report
SCHOLARSHIPS
Lena Horne
Lena Horne was born on June 30,
1917, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mother
was a struggling actress during Horne’s
early childhood, and from the time that
Horne was seven, they moved around
to various states. Horne ended up in
New York City when she was 16 years
old, where her career as an entertainer
began. Her first job was as a dancer in
the chorus line at the Cotton Club. It
was there that she met such singers as
Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway and Duke
Ellington. It was at this time that she
began taking singing lessons in her off
time.
By 1935, Horne had embarked upon
a singing career. Her first notable
opportunity came when she was hired
to sing with the Noble Sissle Orchestra.
Her first record was “As Long As I
Live.” In 1943, she received notable
parts in “Cabin in the Sky,” “As
Thousands Cheer,” and “Stormy
Sorority offers scholarships
Weather.” It was her rendition of the
song, “Stormy Weather” that received
critical acclaim and became her signature
song. Her most notable was Lena
Horne at the Waldorf Astoria (1957).
Horne also received a part in the
Broadway musical Jamaica. In 1958,
she won a New York Drama Critics’
Poll Award for her performance.
Horne was also active in the Civil
Rights Movement. She participated in
the March on Washington and performed
at rallies for the National
Council for Negro Women. During the
1970s, she took a hiatus from public
life. She returned in 1981 with her oneperson
Broadway show, “Lena Horne:
The Lady and Her Music.” The show,
which ran for 14 months, earned her a
Tony Award. In 1989, she received a
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
— Tribune Staff Report
Bonnie Blair
The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter, seeks high school seniors for its 2009 scholarship program. To win one of three monetary awards,
applicants must be accepted at an accredited two or four-year college or university, have a minimum “B” average, and demonstrate financial need. Along with the completed
application form, qualified students must submit their most recent official high school transcript; an essay highlighting applicant’s achievements, goals and
extracurricular activities; two letters of reference; SAT scores and proof of family income.
Application forms can be downloaded at www.sgrhophilly.org and complete applications must be received by April 15.
March 24, 2009 / PAGE 13