by Anne on September 3, 2008
Bessie Delany, dentist and author
Sept. 3, 1891- Sept. 25,1995
Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, 1998)
Bessie Delany, who lived to be 104, came to national attention when she and her sister and a New York Times reporter collaborated on the story of her and her sister’s life: Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years. Delany was the second African American woman to become a dentist in NY.
For more information about the Delany sisters, visit the Having Our Say web site.
by Anne on April 15, 2008
Leonardo da Vinci, artist
Apr. 15, 1452-May 2, 1519
Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley (HarperCollins, 1996)
An account of da Vinci’s life from birth to death with highlights of his celebrated art.
For a biography, portrait, and examples of da Vinci’s work, visit the Museum of Science.
Bessie Smith, musician
Apr. 15, 1894-Sept. 26, 1937
The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World by Julius Lester,illustrated by Lisa Cohen (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion, 2001)
Smith hit the road as a singer at the age of 17. She was known for her big voice. Her first record was called Downhearted Blues.
Read more about Smith on the PBS site about Ken Burns’ film, Jazz.
