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Etta Moten Barnett

1901 - 2004

Actress, contralto, philanthropist and activist Etta Moten sang with Eva Jessy choir and was the first African-American woman to perform at the White House. Her signature role was Bess in Porgy and Bess (which Gershwin had written with her in mind). Other musical roles include Flying Down to Rio 1933 and stage play Zombie 1932. Considered her 100th birthday to be her life's high water mark so no elaborate funeral arrangements were made. Pancreatic Cancer.