Illinois, Missouri Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Honor Legacy of Katherine Dunham
Monday, July 31, 2006
Printable FormatFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Contact: Tommy Vietor or Robert Gibbs, (202) 228-5511
Durbin Contact: Sandra Abrevaya, (202) 224-7115
Costello Contact: David Gillies, (202) 225-5661
Clay Contact: Steven Engelhardt, (314) 890-0349
Date: July 31, 2006
Illinois, Missouri Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Honor Legacy of Katherine Dunham
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) Monday announced that they have introduced legislation to honor the lifetime achievements and legacy of Katherine Dunham by naming a post office in East St. Louis in her honor.
Born in Glen Ellyn Illinois on June 22, 1909, Katherine Dunham was one of the first African Americans to attend the University of Chicago where she eventually earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in Anthropology. Dunham achieved broad critical acclaim both in the United States and abroad for her performances starring in, directing and choreographing multiple musicals, operas and cabarets.
Ms. Dunham used her fame to focus the public's attention on social injustices around the world. At the age of 82, Ms. Dunham undertook a 47-day hunger strike to help shift public awareness to the international relationship between America and Haiti, ultimately assisting in the return of Haiti's first democratically elected president.
In 1967, Dunham moved to East St. Louis, where she helped open a performing arts training center and established a dance anthropology program at the inner-city branch of Southern Illinois University that was eventually named the Katherine Dunham Centers for the Arts and Humanities.
"As we mourn the passing of a legend who believed in the power of music and dance not simply to entertain, but to inspire and change the lives of thousands, we hope that this simple act will also help honor her legacy," said Obama. "From Broadway to Hollywood, from Haiti to her longtime home in East St. Louis, Katherine Dunham's groundbreaking choreography and appreciation for the arts lifted the downtrodden, gave hope to the destitute, and made proud those who celebrate the beauty of black culture."
"Katherine Dunham was not only a world-renowned dancer, choreographer, teacher, and social activist, she was a pioneer," Durbin said. "As one of the first African Americans to attend the University of Chicago and the first black choreographer at the Metropolitan Opera, Ms. Dunham paved the way for the educational and artistic advancement of fellow African Americans. Forty years ago, Katherine Dunham gave a special gift to the residents of East St. Louis by opening the Performing Arts Training Center, an African-American cultural center for the community. With the passage of this bill, we commemorate Ms. Dunham's exemplary service to East St. Louis, to the African American community, to the nation that she loved and to the world of dance."
"Katherine Dunham touched the world not only through her artistic gifts, but with her conscience as well," said Costello. "Through her, we grew as a nation. Just as she challenged the norms of dance, she challenged all of us to confront the important issues of our time. Renaming this post office for Katherine Dunham is a small gesture, but it is a way to say thank you for her continuing contributions to East St. Louis, which she was proud to call home."
"Ms. Dunham was a groundbreaking artist who shared her remarkable talent, faith and immense courage with the people of East St. Louis, Haiti and the entire world" said Clay. "Her commitment to breaking down barriers went far beyond the performing arts. She believed that all people deserved an opportunity to develop their abilities and to live out their dreams. This Post Office designation is a well-deserved honor for a woman who was truly an American treasure."
Ms. Dunham passed away on May 21, 2006. The legislation would name the post office on Missouri Avenue in East St. Louis, the "Katherine Dunham Post Office Building."