1917 – Syvilla Fort Is Born
Syvilla Fort, born on July 3, 1917, was a pioneering dancer and teacher whose Afro-Modern technique blended African, Caribbean, and American styles. Denied access to formal ballet schools due to racism, she trained privately, began teaching at age nine, and later studied at the Cornish School as its first Black student.
Fort performed with Katherine Dunham’s company before an injury shifted her focus to teaching. Her New York studio trained stars like Marlon Brando and James Earl Jones, before passing away in 1975 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
1940 – Fontella Bass Is Born
Fontella Bass, born on July 3, 1940 in St. Louis, was a powerhouse vocalist whose gospel roots shaped a dynamic career in soul, R&B, and jazz. Best known for her 1965 hit “Rescue Me”, Bass blended sacred and secular sounds with emotional depth and vocal fire.
She later collaborated with jazz greats, recorded Grammy-nominated albums, and performed worldwide. Bass’s music and resilience left a lasting legacy before her passing in 2012 at age 72.
1994 – Zela Watson George Passes Away
Zelma Watson George born in 1903, was a trailblazing opera singer, social worker, and political activist. The first Black woman to perform a lead role in a Menotti opera, she also earned a Ph.D. in Sociology and worked as a community leader in Cleveland.
George advised President Eisenhower, served at the U.N., and directed the Cleveland Job Corps Center for Women before passing away on July 3, 1994. Her legacy of service, education, and the arts continues to inspire.