[Dixielandjazz] Ethel Waters honored

[Robert Ringwald]

Chester Great Ethel Waters Memorialized in Marker on Route 291


by Rose Quinn

Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Daily Times, June 29, 2015


With her self-styled voice and expressive face, Ethel Waters could sing and act with the very best of those in entertainment.


Born in Chester on Oct. 31, 1896, the African-American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist overcame poverty and other hardships to become one of the highest paid Broadway stars of her time. Not only are several of her songs in the Grammy Hall of Fame, she earned both Academy and Emmy award nominations for her acting roles.


Waters died Sept. 1, 1977, in Los Angeles, Calif., two months shy of her 81st birthday.


Sunday afternoon, her life and talents were recognized with a historical marker -- a memorial stage of sorts -- along Route 291, near Ethel Waters Park.


“The marker we dedicate today will remind us of the legacy of Chester’s Ethel Waters, a great performer, but also someone who raised herself out of disadvantaged circumstances to bring her talents to the American stage,” Suzanna Barucco of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission said.


About 35 people gathered around the marker for the unveiling, including city Mayor John Linder, city council members Elizabeth Williams and Nafis Nichols and city Controller Edith Blackwell -- all fans of Waters, like the rest of the crowd.


“It is my hope that this marker will not be the end of the story, but will, instead, provide inspiration to all of us, and be the spark for further study and discussion of this great woman’s life,” Barucco said. “We wouldn’t be dedicating this marker without your dedication, so I want to congratulate you on unveiling the newest of more than 2,000 historical markers across the state.”


Waters “overcame racism and sexism to pave the way for contemporary singers, dancers and actors,” Charles L. Blockson, curator of the Charles L. Blockson African-American Collection at Temple University, told the Daily Times in 1999.


Blockson said Waters would compare with a Patti LaBelle or Whitney Houston in celebrity.


Looking back, Linder said, “Ethel Waters was a star.”


Though he was too young, his older siblings had the opportunity to see her and others including Ray Charles, Chuck Berry and Harry Belafonte perform in venues along old Commission Row.


Linder said all of the top names played in Chester, which was an unofficial stop along the “Chitlin Circuit,” a string of welcoming spots for black musicians, comedians and other entertainers during racially segregated times.


“The dedication today made me so proud of our history. Chester, in its own right, is an international city,” Linder said. “We have a casino, a soccer stadium, both with international ties... To me, Route 291 is representative of a sports and entertainment corridor that is still in its infancy.”


As the unveiling of the marker for Waters was happening on one side of 291, Linder said preparations for a jazz festival recognizing Marcus Belgrave, a Chester-born jazz trumpet virtuoso who died last month, were under way on the other side.


Robyn Young, a Media resident who is executive director of the Pennsylvania Women’s Project, nominated Waters for the honor.


“My goal is to put up public monuments recognizing women’s history in the state of Pennsylvania,” she said.


Young said she became motivated in 2001 when she found during unofficial tally that of the 1,600 markers in place as of that point in time, only 200 were named for women.


So far, she’s gotten the approval for 14 markers recognizing the accomplishments of women, including Waters.


“It’s a good day for women,” Young said.


In August, a marker will be dedicated in Lansdowne recognizing Tatiana Proskouriakoff, an archaeologist who had a significant role in deciphering Mayan script. A marker for Mildred Scott Olmstead will be unveiled in Rose Valley in September. They with join two women honored with markers last year: Anna Howard Shaw of Moylan, a leader of women’s suffrage; and Graceanna Lewis of Media, a scientist as well as activist.


Young enjoys the research aspect of her mission.


“I feel like I know them by the time I am done,” she said.


Councilwoman Williams said it was an honor to be part of a group recognizing the greatness of Waters, a daughter of a city that has not forgotten her.


“We had a great day here in the city of Chester,” she said.


The historical marker program began in 1946, and is now one of the most popular and innovative programs of the Historical and Museum Commission, according to Barucco,


“Historical markers speak to us and to future generations, about labor and military history, the history of government and politics, artists and performers, education, science and medicine, the environment -- the list is endless,” she said. “All of these threads weave a great tapestry which is our shared rich and diverse heritage.”


According to Young, the cost for the markers is about $2,000, depending on size. She expressed her thanks to H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest, Philadelphia philanthropist and owner of Philadelphia Media Network, for funding the marker for Waters.


Photo:


http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20150628/chester-great-ethel-waters-memorialized-in-marker-on-route-291 
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