Fredi Washington

When I wrote The Broadcast 41, I made a decision to write the book about a cohort--a group of women making their way in media in the 1930s and 1940s--rather than as a series of case studies. Part of the reason wasn't that ALL the stories were so compelling, but mainly I wanted to pass the baton to other scholars and give them enough so that they could devote attention to the individual stories.

So nice to see The Root's great slideshow of Black stars from the first half of the twentieth century, especially the brilliant Canada Lee and Harry Belafonte, both of whom deserve far more attention.

Here's hoping that folks find this compilation of performer, writer, and activist Fredi Washington's World War II era columns from the People's Voice useful. Take some time to get to know Washington by reading Laurie Woodard's brilliant introduction!

Pioneering TV Women of Color: TV Women Blacklisted