Zelma Watson George
Zelma Watson George | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | July 3, 1994 | (aged 90)
Other names | zelmaa |
Zelma Watson George (December 8, 1903 – July 3, 1994) was an African-American philanthropist who was famous for being an alternate in the United Nations General Assembly and, as a headliner in Gian Carlo Menotti's opera The Medium, the first African American to play a role that was typically played by a white actress.
Early life
Zelma Watson was born to Samuel E.J. and Lena (Thomas) Watson in
Education
After graduating from
In 1943, George received her master's degree in personnel administration from
Personal life
Zelma married Baxter Duke in 1937. They were divorced in 1942. In 1944, she married attorney Clayborne George of
Musical accomplishments
George received a Rockefeller Foundation grant to study African-American music. After completing her study, she wrote the musical drama Chariot's A'Comin!, which was locally aired on television in
Political and philanthropy accomplishments
In the 1950s George was an advisor to President
George was an alternate delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1960 until 1961. President Richard Nixon named her to be a part of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in 1971. She received numerous awards for her accomplishments, including the Dag Hammarskjöld Award in 1961, the Dahlberg Peace Award in 1963, and the Mary Bethune Gold Medallion in 1973. George was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 1983.[citation needed]
Later life
After her husband died, George continued to work in philanthropy and continued to give to and improve the community. From 1966 until 1974 she was the director of the
References
- ^ Zelma Watson George (1997). The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
- ^ "Zelma George". The Crisis. October 1950.
- ^ "The Crisis". October 1950. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
- ^ Watson, Zelma (October 1950). "The Crisis".
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ Watson, Zelma (October 1950). "The Crisis".
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ Watson, Zelma (October 1950). "The Crisis". Retrieved 2014-01-20.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help)
- Lucko, P. M. (2001, June 6). "Zelma Watson George", The Handbook of Texas Online Web site. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
- Women in Philanthropy and Charity in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio Celebrating Over 200 Years of Generosity and Civic Commitment Web site. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
- Zelma Watson George biography. Women in History. Lakewood Public Library.
- Zelma Watson George Biography from Answers.com.
- Zelma Watson George (1997). The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. Retrieved February 10, 2007.