Edna Mae Robinson facts for kids

Edna Mae Robinson (born September 4, 1915 – died May 2, 2002) was an American dancer, actress, and someone who worked to make things better for people. She was a dancer at the famous Cotton Club and traveled around Europe with music legends like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway.

She became well-known when she married the famous boxer Sugar Ray Robinson. She even appeared on the very first cover of Jet magazine in 1951. Edna Mae Robinson also performed on Broadway in an all-black version of the play Born Yesterday in 1953.

Early Life and Dance Career

Edna Mae Holly was born into an important family in Miami, Florida, on September 4, 1915. Her great-grandfather, Rt. Rev. James Theodore Holly, was the first black bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Edna Mae started learning to dance when she was a child. When she was five, her parents passed away, and she moved to New York to live with her aunt. She went to Hunter College and began dancing in popular nightclubs. These included the Cotton Club and the Mimo Club. At the Cotton Club, she was famous for dancing on top of a huge drum!

Meeting Sugar Ray Robinson

In 1940, Edna Mae met Walker Smith Jr., who later became known as Sugar Ray Robinson. At first, she didn't like him much. They met at a pool, and he pushed her in, even though she couldn't swim! However, she gave him another chance. After they dated for a long time, they got married in 1944.

Public Life and Businesses

During her marriage, Edna Mae Robinson appeared on the covers of many black publications. These included Jet and Ebony magazines. She was on the first cover of Jet magazine in 1951. In the picture, she wore a very expensive mink coat that Sugar Ray had given her for her birthday.

Edna Mae and Sugar Ray were a very stylish couple. They spent a lot of money from his boxing wins and other projects. In the 1950s, they owned several businesses. These included Edna Mae's Lingerie Shop and Sugar Ray's Cafe.

Broadway and Tours

In 1953, Robinson made her Broadway debut. She starred in an all-black version of the play Born Yesterday. Even though critics liked her performance, the play only ran for five days. After the play, she joined the cast on a USO tour. They performed for troops in Japan and Europe. In 1956, she was a special guest at a dance school graduation party in Detroit.

Later Life and Activism

After her divorce in 1962, Robinson worked as a medical assistant. Later, she got a license in cosmetology, which is about hair and beauty. In her older years, she became an exercise instructor. She taught aerobic classes for senior citizens.

She also worked as a technical consultant for the 1984 film The Cotton Club. This means she helped the filmmakers make sure details about the Cotton Club were accurate.

Working for Change

Edna Mae Robinson was very active in important civil rights groups. She was involved with Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She also supported the NAACP. She helped several charities too.

When she lived in Riverdale in the early 1960s, she led a group called Intergroup. This organization worked to make sure people of all backgrounds could live in the same neighborhoods.

Memories and Legacy

After Sugar Ray's death in 1989, Robinson started writing about her marriage. She was planning to release a book about her life.

Edna Mae Robinson passed away on May 2, 2002, in New York. She was 86 years old and had complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was survived by her son and five grandchildren.

Personal Life

Edna Mae Robinson married Sugar Ray Robinson on May 29, 1944. They had one son, Ray Robinson Jr., who was born in 1949. They separated in 1960 and officially divorced in 1962. Even though she tried to have other relationships, she never remarried.

In 1969, Sugar Ray tried to say their marriage was not valid. However, his case was dismissed. Their divorce agreement gave her money each week and other benefits. In 1989, Robinson said she received a little more than $23,000 from their divorce settlement. This was due to some financial difficulties Sugar Ray had.