Are you familiar with the name Mary Cardwell Dawson? She was an accomplished musician who lived from the 1894-1962, and in 1925 she graduated from New England Conservatory of Music with degrees in piano and voice, the only African American person in her class. Ms. Dawson hoped to pursue a career as an opera singer, but the doors to the established opera companies of her time were closed to her. So, she took matters into her own hands, becoming an advocate for Black musicians by founding and managing The National Negro Opera Company. You can use the links below to learn more about Mary Cardwell Dawson and her National Negro Opera Company. And today’s Beautiful Music features excerpts from an opera about the singer and visionary leader” The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson.
https://blogs.loc.gov/music/2019/03/mary-cardwell-dawson-first-lady-of-opera/
https://savingplaces.org/stories/the-fight-to-save-the-national-negro-opera-company-house