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272:, to Robert T. Washington, a postal worker, and Harriet "Hattie" Walker Ward, a dancer. Both were of African American and European ancestry. Washington was the second of their five children. Her mother died when Fredi was 11 years old. As the oldest girl in her family, she helped raise her younger siblings, Isabel, Rosebud, and Robert, with the help of their grandmother.
586:, but there were few regular dramatic radio programs in that era with Black protagonists. She wrote an opinion piece for the Black press in which she discussed how limited the opportunities in broadcasting were for Black actors, actresses, and vocalists, saying that "...radio seems to keep its doors sealed colored artists."
422:
blue-gray eyes, pale complexion, and light brown hair—that she might have passed in her own life. In 1934, she said the role did not reflect her off-screen life, but "If I made Peola seem real enough to merit such statements, I consider such statements compliments and makes me feel I've done my job fairly well."
561:
Despite receiving critical acclaim, she was unable to find much work in the
Hollywood of the 1930s and 1940s. Studios preferred Black actresses with darker skin, who were usually typecast as maids, cooks or other servants. Directors were also reluctant to cast a light-skinned Black actress in a
421:
as white to seek more opportunities in a society restricted by legal and social racial segregation. As
Washington had visible European ancestry, the role was considered perfect for her, but it led to her being typecast by filmmakers. Moviegoers sometimes assumed from Washington's appearance—her
229:(December 23, 1903 – June 28, 1994) was an American stage and film actress, civil rights activist, performer, and writer. Washington was of African American descent. She was one of the first Black Americans to gain recognition for film and stage work in the
479:. While working with the NAACP, Washington fought for more representation and better treatment of Black actors in Hollywood; because of her own success, she was one of the few Black actors in Hollywood who had some influence with white studio executives.
425:
She told reporters in 1949 that she identified as Black "...because I'm honest, firstly, and secondly, you don't have to be white to be good. I've spent most of my life trying to prove to those who think otherwise ... I am a Negro and I am proud of it."
597:
and to try to hide the fact that I am a Negro for economic or any other reasons. If I do, I would be agreeing to be a Negro makes me inferior and that I have swallowed whole hog all of the propaganda dished out by our fascist-minded white
593:"You see I'm a mighty proud gal, and I can't for the life of me find any valid reason why anyone should lie about their origin, or anything else for that matter. Frankly, I do not ascribe to the stupid theory of
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directors did not offer her any romantic roles. As one modern critic explained, Fredi
Washington was "...too beautiful and not dark enough to play maids, but rather too light to act in all-Black movies..."
520:
in 2013: "The last of the six Claire Trevor 'snappy' vehicles Dwan made for Fox in the 1930s tests the limits of free expression on race in
Hollywood while sometimes straining credulity."
472:. The organization's mission included speaking out against stereotyping and advocating for a wider range of roles. Washington served as the organization's first executive secretary.
675:
In 1981, Washington received an award from the
Audience Development Company (AUDELCO), a New York-based nonprofit group devoted to preserving and promoting African-American theater.
321:
as a member of the "Happy
Honeysuckles," a cabaret group. Baker became a friend and mentor to her. Washington's collaboration with Baker led to her being discovered by producer
482:
In addition to working for the rights and opportunities of Black actors, Washington also advocated for the federal protection of Black
Americans. She was a lobbyist for the
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637:'s jazz orchestra. That marriage ended in divorce. In 1952, Washington married a Stamford dentist, Hugh Anthony Bell, and moved to
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activist. In an effort to help other Black actors and actresses find more opportunities, in 1937 Washington co-founded the
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1105:"Picturizing Race: Hollywood's Censorship of Miscegenation and Production of Racial Visibility through Imitation of Life"
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She was also deeply involved with the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, known as the
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She quickly became a popular, featured dancer, and toured internationally with her dancing partner, Al Moiret.
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250:(1934). She plays a young light-skinned Black woman who decides to pass as white. Her last film role was in
486:, which the NAACP supported. It was passed by the House but lost in the Senate, which was dominated by the
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Fredi
Washington Bell died, aged 90, on June 28, 1994. She died from pneumonia following a series of
508:(1937), in which she played a light-skinned Black woman claiming to be the mother of a "white" baby.
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plays a reporter who discovers the story and helps both
Washington and the white biological mother (
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In 1979, Washington received the CIRCA Award for lifetime achievement in the performing arts.
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While Washington was still in school in Philadelphia, her family moved north from Georgia to
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Washington's entertainment career began in 1921 as a chorus girl in the Broadway musical
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256:(1937). After that she left Hollywood and returned to New York to work in theatre and
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Nzinga Cotton. "Fredi Washington: Active Promoter of Rights for Black Entertainers",
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Johnson, Frank William . "Acclaimed Actress Fredi Washington, 90, Has Passed Away",
617:, a Baptist minister and politician in New York City. He was married to her sister
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1062:
Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary Completing the Twentieth Century
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325:. In 1926, she was recommended for a co-starring role on the Broadway stage with
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Stealing the Show: African American Performers and Audiences in 1930s Hollywood
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Washington's experiences in the film industry and theater led her to become a
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After their mother's death, Washington and her sister Isabel were sent to the
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Fredi Washington. "Future for Negro Performers This Season Looks Very Dark,"
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Veronica Chambers. "Lives Well Lived: Fredi Washington, The Tragic Mulatto",
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Washington turned to acting in the late 1920s. Her first movie role was in
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1356:"The Fair-Skinned Black Actress Who Refused to 'Pass' in 1930s Hollywood"
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In 1975, Washington was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.
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1185:, Historical Society of Philadelphia, 2005. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
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Washington had a dramatic role in a 1943 radio tribute to Black women,
570:. Interracial marriage was illegal in the South and many other states.
537:. She later became a casting consultant for the stage productions of
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magazine ranked it as among "The 25 Most Important Films on Race."
1242:"Fredi Washington: Black entertainers and the "Double V" campaign"
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Washington was a theater writer, and the entertainment editor for
1257:"Remembering Fredi Washington: Actress, Activist, and Journalist"
949:"Remembering Fredi Washington: Actress, Activist, and Journalist"
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Women and Mixed Race Representation in Film: Eight Star Profiles
934:"Fredi Washington, Edna Thomas Honored by Guild", Norfolk (VA),
763:"Fredi Washington, 90, Actress; Broke Ground for Black Artists"
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476:
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Allan Dwan and the Rise and Decline of the Hollywood Studios
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A Chosen Exile: A History of Racial Passing in American Life
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for Best Picture, but it did not win. Years later, in 2007,
613:(1942–1948), a newspaper for African Americans founded by
244:(1920s–1930s). Her best- known film role was as Peola in
796:
915:"The 25 Most Important Films on Race: 'Imitation of Life
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at St. Joseph Medical Center in Stamford, Connecticut.
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Earl Conrad; "Pass or Not To Pass?" (June 16, 1945),
1145:, University of North Carolina Press, 1999, p. 172.
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at the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem (April 14, 1936)
346:dancer who was dying. She acted in a small role in
870:Bracks, Lean'tin L.; Smith, Jessie Carney (2014).
974:Favara, Jeremiah; Stabile, carol; Strait, Laura.
562:romantic role with a white leading man; the film
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976:"WASHINGTON, FREDI: DANCER, ACTRESS, JOURNALIST"
1087:"Colored Actresses Reap Fortunes In Maid Roles"
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1065:. Harvard University Press. pp. 666–667.
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516:) who had given up the baby. According to the
1275:"Veteran Actress Fredi Washington Dies At 90"
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1042:, screening June 13, 2013, part of exhibit:
925:, February 2007. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
904:. Harvard University Press. pp. 170–2.
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352:(1933) starring Robeson. Washington played
1292:Gilbert, Valerie C. (September 27, 2021).
1128:Ronald Bergen. "Between Black and White",
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413:. Washington played a young light-skinned
407:Her best-known role was in the 1934 movie
29:
1201:. Univ of California Press. p. 133.
876:. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 239.
873:Black Women of the Harlem Renaissance Era
1345:Research and Editorial Files (1865-1963)
1119:, Vol. 27, 1998. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
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393:Washington (left) at the opening of the
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1389:20th-century African-American actresses
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1000:Overview: "One Mile from Heaven (1937)"
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208: 1952; died 1970)
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1347:are available for research use at the
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356:'s love interest in the musical short
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1429:Catholics from Georgia (U.S. state)
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1255:Finlay, Nancy (February 22, 2017).
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793:(London, UK), June 16, 2008, p. 21.
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1349:Historical Society of Pennsylvania
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1132:(Manchester, UK), July 9, 1994.
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761:Rule, Sheila (June 30, 1994).
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533:, along with Ethel Waters and
342:(1929), in which she played a
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454:Negro Actors Guild of America
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240:Washington was active in the
51:Fredericka Carolyn Washington
832:"Obituary: Fredi Washington"
629:In 1933, Washington married
294:. Washington graduated from
279:School for Colored Girls in
16:American actress (1903–1994)
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838:(London, UK), July 4, 1994.
557:Leaving Hollywood for radio
498:Washington played opposite
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1424:Catholics from Connecticut
1409:African-American Catholics
1336:Internet Broadway Database
1093:: 60–61. October 16, 1952.
851:, January 1, 1995, p. A27.
566:prohibited suggestions of
317:. She was hired by dancer
307:Early entertainment career
285:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1308:– via Google Books.
1244:. Texas State University.
1195:Petty, Miriam J. (2016).
1158:September 23, 1940, p. 2.
1006:. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
813:, August 12, 1994, p. 4D.
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296:Julia Richman High School
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1419:American stage actresses
1028:, A Cinema Apart website
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619:Isabel Washington Powell
379:and Fredi Washington in
1414:American film actresses
1229:: 63. November 6, 1952.
1141:Barbara Dianne Savage,
1024:March 11, 2007, at the
980:broadcast41.uoregon.edu
900:Hobbs, Allyson (2014).
615:Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
484:Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill
395:Federal Theatre Project
359:Cab Calloway's Hi-De-Ho
277:St. Elizabeth's Convent
953:connecticuthistory.org
938:, July 5, 1941, p. 15.
690:(1922), her film debut
639:Greenwich, Connecticut
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1111:May 30, 2013, at the
936:New Journal and Guide
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584:National Urban League
430:was nominated for an
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84:Stamford, Connecticut
1281:: 53. July 18, 1994.
1169:The Chicago Defender
1156:Atlanta Daily World,
1143:Broadcasting Freedom
1059:Ware, Susan (2004).
1039:One Mile from Heaven
1018:One Mile from Heaven
810:Philadelphia Tribune
727:One Mile from Heaven
633:, the trombonist in
518:Museum of Modern Art
505:One Mile from Heaven
253:One Mile from Heaven
181: 1933;
1362:, January 26, 2021.
1261:Connecticut History
417:woman who chose to
1004:The New York Times
955:. 22 February 2021
849:The New York Times
767:The New York Times
610:The People's Voice
589:In 1945 she said:
582:, produced by the
580:Heroines in Bronze
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298:in New York City.
242:Harlem Renaissance
219:Fredericka Carolyn
1208:978-0-520-96414-3
1103:Courtney, Susanm
1072:978-0-674-01488-6
883:978-0-8108-8543-1
711:Imitation of Life
703:The Emperor Jones
664:Legacy and honors
644:She was a devout
530:Mamba's Daughters
428:Imitation of Life
410:Imitation of Life
382:Imitation of Life
367:Imitation of Life
349:The Emperor Jones
281:Cornwells Heights
270:Savannah, Georgia
247:Imitation of Life
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142:The Emperor Jones
137:Imitation of Life
122:Years active
65:Savannah, Georgia
61:December 23, 1903
38:Imitation of Life
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