Katherine Dunham

Date of Birth: June 22, 1909

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: May 21, 2006

Biography

Katherine Dunham, an American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist, was a revolutionary figure in the world of dance. Born on June 22, 1909, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, she was a pioneer of African-American modern dance and a significant force in bringing African and Caribbean influences to a wider audience. Dunham’s career spanned several decades, during which she earned accolades for her work in dance, theater, and film. Dunham’s interest in dance began at a young age, and she later pursued it academically at the University of Chicago, where she earned degrees in anthropology. Her anthropological studies took her to the Caribbean, where she conducted ethnographic research that would profoundly influence her choreography. She developed the “Dunham Technique,” a unique dance style that integrated Caribbean and African dance movements with modern dance. Throughout her career, Dunham performed and choreographed for Broadway shows, Hollywood films, and her own dance company, the Katherine Dunham Dance Company. She was also an educator and activist, using her platform to address social and racial issues. Katherine Dunham passed away on May 21, 2006, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire dancers and choreographers worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Katherine Dunham

1. Katherine Dunham was one of the first African-American women to attend the University of Chicago, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social anthropology.

2. Dunham’s dance company was the first African-American modern dance company in the United States.

3. She choreographed “Cabin in the Sky” (1940), a Broadway musical that was a landmark in African-American theater.

4. Dunham was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush.

5. She went on a 47-day hunger strike in 1992 to protest the U.S. government’s repatriation policies towards Haitian refugees.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Katherine Dunham

1. “Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.”

2. “I used to want the words ‘She tried’ on my tombstone. Now I want ‘She did it.’”

3. “We weren’t pushing Black is beautiful. We just showed it.”

4. “I have actually danced to try and save my soul.”

5. “I wasn’t concerned about the money. All I wanted to do was share what I had with others.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Katherine Dunham’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

Katherine Dunham had one daughter, Marie-Christine Dunham Pratt, who followed in her mother’s footsteps to some extent, involving herself in the arts and carrying on Dunham’s legacy.