Women's Movement

On August 26, 1920, the 19th amendment was passed, finally giving women the right to vote. This started a whole new freedom and independence in women which continued into the Harlem Renaissance. During the Harlem Renaissance many women broke out of the mold and began dancing the Charleston, singing blues and asserting their sexuality in ways that were before unseen. There were a few women who became known and led women in this new way.


Billie Holliday (1915-1959): Billie Holiday had a difficult childhood and found a peace in singing along with records of Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong. In the late 1920s, she followed her mother to New York and found herself singing in local clubs in Harlem. At 18, Holiday was discovered by producer John Hammond and went on to make many records with people such as Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. She was known for her distinctive phrasing and expressive, melancholy voice.

Ella Fitzgerald: Over the span of her career, Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy awards and sold over 40 million albums. She grew up somewhat of a tomboy and loved sports. Along with sports, Fitzgerald also enjoyed dancing and singing. She and her friends enjoyed taking the train to Harlem and watching acts at the Apollo Theater. In 1934, she got a chance to compete in Amateur Night at the Apollo where she had planned to dance but then changed her mind and decided to sing. This launched her career.



Gertrude “Ma” Rainey: Rainey began her career in 1900 performing in minstrel shows. After she married, in 1902, she began to perform with her husband a song and dance act that included Blues. In 1923, Rainey signed a recording contract with Paramount and was billed the “Mother of the Blues.”


Ethel Waters: Ethel Waters was the first “black superstar” and opened theatrical doors never before opened for black performers. Waters was also an amazing singer who performed jazz and other popular music. While living in New York City, in 1925, she signed with Columbia records and began to make many films.


These women all made a difference in the Harlem renaissance and changed the way women saw themselves. They broke the mold and opened doors for many other women, black performers especially.