Ma Rainey: The Mother of the Blues

(what's a "Modern Worthy"? click here to find out!)

The Queer Black Woman Who Reinvented The Blues | Atlas Obscura

In the 1910s and 20s, Ma Rainey took the stage with an ostrich feather in one hand and a gun in the other.

“She was, in the words of historian Robert Philipson, ‘one of the first black divas in history.'”

Next: Maria Toorpakai Wazir

Previous: Neetu

One Response to “Ma Rainey”

1. Guest on May 9th, 2016 - 5:34pm

   If you find her interesting, I would recommend reading the play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”. I thought they did a good job of portraying her and it’s a good read.