Musician and actress Ethel Waters rose from the depths of poverty to become a
major figure in American entertainment, where she achieved numerous firsts as a
Black woman and left behind a legacy warranting special recognition from the
Library of Congress and her own postage stamp. Born on October 31, 1896, to a
teenage rape victim, Waters grew up poor and neglected, but was able to
capitalize on an opportunity that arose after she was coaxed into singing during
an event at a nightclub. Her voice earned her a paying gig at a venue in
Baltimore, which launched her into a whirlwind ...