Today In History Pearl Bailey, famed entertainer, was born in Newport News, VA, on this date March 29, 1918. At the age of 15 Bailey quit her high school in Philadelphia for a career as a singer and dancer. She appeared in cafés, nightclubs, and theatres in northeastern American cities, and at times she sang with big bands, including those led by Cootie Williams and Count Basie. She appeared in her first Broadway musical, St. Louis Woman, in 1946 and her first film, Variety Girl, in 1947. In her later years Bailey wrote several books: The Raw Pearl (1968), Talking to Myself (1971), Pearl’s Kitchen (1973), and Hurry Up, America, and Spit (1976). In 1975 she was appointed special ambassador to the United Nations by Pres. Gerald Ford. She enrolled in Georgetown University and at age 67 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology. Her last book, Between You and Me (1989), details her experiences with higher education. In 1988 Bailey received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Pres. Ronald Reagan. CARTER™️ Magazine carter-mag.com #wherehistoryandhiphopmeet #historyandhiphop365 #cartermagazine #carter #pearlbailey #staywoke #womenshistorymonth #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory https://www.instagram.com/p/CqXu8N5uRuW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
