Endesha Ida Mae Holland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Endesha Ida Mae Holland
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| Born | August 29, 1944 |
| Died | January 25, 2006 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | PhD. in American studies, University of Minnesota 1986 |
| Occupation | Activist, playwright, scholar |
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Notable work
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From the Mississippi Delta |
Endesha Ida Mae Holland (born August 29, 1944 – died January 25, 2006) was an important American scholar, writer, and civil rights activist. She worked hard to fight for equal rights for African Americans. She also wrote plays and taught at universities.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Endesha Ida Mae Holland became involved in the Civil Rights Movement when she was young. She was inspired by the work of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). This group worked to end racial segregation and discrimination.
She was very impressed by how organized and professional the SNCC office was. She decided to volunteer there to help with their important work.
Her mother was worried about Endesha's safety because of her civil rights work. In 1965, a fire happened at their family home, and her mother died. Endesha believed this fire was related to her work for civil rights. She was arrested thirteen times for her activism.
Even with these challenges, Endesha continued her fight for justice. Her friends in the civil rights movement encouraged her to get her high school diploma. She then went on to study at the University of Minnesota. There, she helped start a department focused on African-American studies. She also created a program called Women Helping Offenders (WHO). This program helped women who were in prison.
Her Journey in Education
Endesha worked very hard in her studies. In 1979, she earned her first degree in African-American studies from the University of Minnesota. She continued her education, getting a master's degree in American Studies in 1984. Then, in 1986, she earned her PhD in American Studies.
Her talent for writing was recognized early on. In 1981, she won the National Lorraine Hansberry Award for her play. In 1983, she changed her first name to Endesha. This was to honor her African heritage.
Endesha became a professor, sharing her knowledge with students. She taught at the State University of New York, Buffalo from 1985 to 1993. Later, she became a theater professor at the University of Southern California. She retired from teaching in 2003. Endesha passed away in 2006 in Santa Monica, California.
Her Creative Works
Endesha Ida Mae Holland was a talented writer. She wrote six plays during her life. Her most famous play was called From the Mississippi Delta. This play was performed by the Negro Ensemble Company. It was shown in big theaters like the Goodman Theater in Chicago and the Young Vic in London.
She also wrote a book with the same title, From the Mississippi Delta. This book was her memoir, telling her own life story. It was published in 1997 by Simon & Schuster.
Her life and work were also featured in films. A short documentary about her, called Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland, was made in 1998. She was also interviewed for a longer documentary film in 1994, called Freedom on My Mind.
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Endesha Ida Mae Holland
