Zelma Watson George facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zelma Watson George
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Zelma Watson George in 1982, photo by Judith Sedwick
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| Born | December 8, 1903 |
| Died | July 3, 1994 (aged 90) |
| Other names | zelmaa |
Zelma Watson George (December 8, 1903 – July 3, 1994) was an amazing African-American leader. She was known for two big things: being a special representative at the United Nations and being the first African-American woman to star in an opera role usually played by a white actress. This role was in Gian-Carlo Menotti's opera The Medium.
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Early Life and Family
Zelma Watson was born in Hearne, Texas, on December 8, 1903. Her parents were Samuel E.J. and Lena (Thomas) Watson. Zelma was the oldest of six children.
Her mother helped organize religious activities at Tennessee State College. Her father was a Baptist minister, which meant the family moved often. In 1917, they moved to Topeka, Kansas, from Dallas. They left Dallas because some white citizens did not like that Samuel E.J. Watson helped African-American prisoners.
Education and Learning
After finishing school in Topeka Public Schools, Zelma went to the University of Chicago. She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1924. Sociology is the study of how people live together in groups.
She then studied music. From 1924 to 1926, she learned to play the pipe organ at Northwestern University. In 1925, she also started studying singing at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.
Later, Zelma continued her studies. In 1943, she earned her master's degree from New York University. In 1954, she received her Ph.D. in Sociology. For her Ph.D., she wrote about African-American music. Her work was so good that she received special honorary doctorates from Heidelberg College and Baldwin Wallace College in 1961, and Cleveland State University in 1974.
Personal Life and Community Work
Zelma married Baxter Duke in 1937, but they divorced in 1942. In 1944, she married Clayborne George, a lawyer from Ohio. Clayborne was the President of the Civil Service Commission in Cleveland. They did not have children.
Zelma was very active in her community in Cleveland. She was a member of many groups, including:
- The National Conference of Christians and Jews
- The League of Women Voters
- The Girl Scouts
- Alpha Kappa Alpha (a sorority)
She also loved music. She sang in church groups, led choirs, and gave lectures about music.
Musical Achievements
Zelma George received a special grant to study African-American music. After her research, she wrote a musical play called Chariot's A'Comin!. This play was shown on TV in Cleveland in 1949.
She made history by becoming the first African-American woman to star in an opera role usually played by a white actress. This happened in Gian-Carlo Menotti's opera The Medium. She performed at the Karamu Theater in Cleveland and the Edison Theatre in New York City. After this big debut, she received an award from the National Association of Negro Musicians. Zelma also performed in other operas, like Gian-Carlo Menotti's The Consul and Kurt Weill's The Three Penny Opera.
Political and Philanthropic Work
In the 1950s, Zelma George advised President Dwight D. Eisenhower. She worked with several national government groups. These groups often focused on women, young people, and African Americans. From 1954 to 1957, she was part of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Armed Forces. She also served on the council for the American Society of African Culture from 1959 to 1971. She was a long-time member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
From 1960 to 1961, Zelma was a special representative for the United Nations General Assembly. In 1971, President Richard Nixon asked her to join the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Zelma received many awards for her important work:
- The Dag Hammarskjöld Award in 1961
- The Dahlberg Peace Award in 1963
- The Mary Bethune Gold Medallion in 1973
In 1983, she was honored by being added to the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.
Later Life and Legacy
After her husband passed away, Zelma George continued her work to help others and improve her community. From 1966 to 1974, she directed the Cleveland Job Corps, which helps young people find jobs. After retiring, she taught classes at Cuyahoga Community College in a program for older adults.
Zelma Watson George passed away in Shaker Heights, Ohio, on July 3, 1994. She left behind a powerful legacy of achievements and a deep care for making the world a better place. Today, a community center in Cleveland, Ohio, is named in her honor.
