South Philadelphia High School for Girls - Portal Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 84 text:

MARIGN ANDEIISIDN MARION ANDERSON was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While still very young, she showed definite signs of a love for music. At a very early age she became a member of the Junior Choir of the Union Baptist Church where she was known as The Baby Contraltof' At the request of the director of the Senior Choir, Miss Anderson filled in with that group also, very often singing soprano, alto, tenor, or bass, if one of these soloists happened to be absent. Miss Anderson was educated in the Philadelphia schools, was gradu- ated from the South Philadelphia High School for Girls, and later studied in the various musical centers of Europe. In 1937 she sang at the White House at the invitation of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, and in 1939 was again invited by President and Mrs. Roosevelt to sing at the reception given at the White House in honor of the King and Queen of England. Marion' Anderson holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Music from Howard University, Washington, D. C., and was also similarly honored by Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 194-1 Miss Anderson was the recipient of the Philadelphia Award. Eighty

Page 83 text:

7 O I I T0 0RROW Seventy-u ine Beyond the rows of damp-eyed parents Beyond the teachers, seats, corridors Beyond the open door I stand, Beckoning . . . waiting. Above the salutations and rustle of programs Above the music and heavy breathing I am Calling . . . whispering . . . Come, I am brutal and ugly, and I challenge you. Colne, I ani beautiful beyond comprehension, and I welcome you. I was here before you came. I shall be here when you are gone. Subdue me, train me, bend me to your will. Take one last look, and come! Bring your curiosity, your common sense, your fresh, young vitality . . . enrich all with a sense of beauty, fairness . . . charity . . . Come, eager . . . unafraid . . . come to me laughing under the burden of destiny . . . And I will love you!

Page 85 text:

PRUMISE FULFILLED DEAR FRIENDS: Long ago, in the school you too know and love, I found the New World's Promise in the friendliness, the understand' ing, the genuine equality and fairness permeating faculty and student body. But I realized then, as I do now, for the idealism at Southern was clearfeyed and honest, that beyond the warmth and comfort of those protecting walls bigotry, selfishness, unreasoning prejudice, and frenzied competition still stirred a restless and a troubled world. Yet through those years of struggle following my graduation, through heartbreak and disillusionment tempered by the reassurf ing faith of real Americans, and ultimate attainment, in a sense, for myself and many of my fellow Americans, I held in my heart, like a talisman, the conviction that what had been done in microcosm at South Philadelphia High School for Girls could and must become a world pattern. And now through the suffering and tragedy of the pres' ent conflict we do hear the march of a coming civilization based on those four freedoms so clearly defined by our great President. All of us have much to learn at home and abroad, but the dream is true, the song of humanity is clear and vibrant. You will be privileged to help to bring to fruif tion the promise of the Atlantic Charter. Let the theme of your yearbook be at once a portent and a prophecy, a pledge and a prayer, for each one of the Class of june, 1943, as you assume your obligations in achieving The New World's Promise for all the peoples of the world! My very best wishes go with you! ,Ja High fy-un