Ivory Winston facts for kids

Ivory Winston (born August 11, 1911 – died August 6, 1996) was an amazing African-American singer. She was so talented that she sang for important people like President Harry S. Truman and Governor William S. Beardsley. Because of her beautiful voice, she was known as "Iowa's First Lady of Song."

A Singing Star's Journey

Ivory Winston's first big performance was in May 1946 at Ottumwa Heights College. She sang for President Harry S. Truman's birthday when he was campaigning across the Midwest. In June 1950, Ivory did very well at a music festival at Drake University. This event was put on by The Des Moines Register newspaper.

She also sang at a Republican Convention in Des Moines in July 1950. There, she performed for Iowa politicians and Governor William S. Beardsley. Ivory won the Iowa Greater Talent Search. She also won a radio contest that was heard all over the country!

Ivory Winston was a coloratura soprano. This means she had a very high singing voice that could sing fast, fancy notes. She was truly named "Iowa's First Lady of Song" for her incredible talent. As her children grew up, her daughter played the violin for her. Her son played the cello, making music a family affair.

Despite her success, Ivory and her family faced unfair treatment. When they tried to move to a different neighborhood in Ottumwa, some people signed a petition against them. This was because of their race, which was a sad example of racism.

Ivory Winston passed away on August 6, 1996. Sadly, she never got to record her music professionally. Her family says that some recordings of her songs once existed, but they have since been lost. Today, you can find photographs of Ivory Winston at the African American Museum of Iowa. These include a picture from a 1951 performance. The University of Iowa also keeps important papers about her singing career.

Ivory's Early Years

Ivory Winston was born in Iowa in 1911. Her parents were Effie and Reverend E. P. Green. She grew up in a Baptist family. Ivory was an only child. As a teenager, she moved often because her father was a pastor. During this time, she studied to become a concert pianist.

Going to church helped Ivory improve her singing voice. She moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, when her father became the pastor of the Second Baptist Church. Ivory studied music and languages at Drake University. She also attended Ottumwa Heights College as a music student. She even studied at Parsons College.

In 1936, she married Clyde Melvin Winston. He worked at a company called John Morrell. They might have met at the Second Baptist Church, where they both went. Ivory and Clyde had two children, Berta Lou and Byron. Even as a housewife, Ivory kept training her voice. She would sing while she did her chores around the house.

Her Final Notes

Ivory Winston died on August 6, 1996. This was just five days before her 85th birthday. She was never able to make professional recordings of her beautiful voice.