Thursday 23 October 2014

BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN " OSCEOLA MACARTHY ADAMS " WAS AN ACTRESS, DRAMA THACHER, DIRECTOR AND CLOTHING DESIGNER : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

BLACK              SOCIAL           HISTORY                                                                                                                                  Osceola Macarthy Adams


Osceola Macarthy Adams
Osceolaadams.jpg
BornOsceola Macarthy
June 13, 1890
Albany, GeorgiaU.S.
DiedNovember 20, 1983 (aged 93)
New York City, New YorkU.S.
EducationHoward University (1913)
OccupationActress, drama teacher, theatre director, fashion designer
Years active1913–1970s
Spouse(s)Numa P.G. Adams
Founding Members of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Osceola Macarthy Adams
Florence Letcher Toms
Ethel Carr Watson
Wertie Blackwell Weaver
Winona Cargile Alexander
Marguerite Young Alexander
Ethel Cuff Black
Zephyr Chisom Carter
Myra Davis Hemmings
Olive C. Jones
Mamie Reddy Rose
Naomi Sewell Richardson
Vashti Turley Murphy
Madree Penn White
Bertha Pitts Campbell
Eliza Pearl Shippen
Frederica Chase Dodd
Edith Motte Young
Jessie McGuire Dent
Edna Brown Coleman
Jimmie Bugg Middleton
Pauline Oberdorfer Minor
Osceola Macarthy Adams (June 13, 1890 – November 20, 1983) was an American actressdrama teacherdirector, and clothing designer. She was one of the 22 founders of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Early life

Born to a life insurance executive in Albany, Georgia, Macarthy was mixed with CaucasianNative American, and African-Americanheritage.[1]
She attended schools in Albany, Georgia and then attended Fisk University's Preparatory School. Later, she attended Howard University, where she studied ancient Greek and philosophy.[1] Macarthy was a part of Howard University's Class of 1913.[2] She was also a leader in Howard's Dramatic Club.[3]

Delta involvement

Macarthy was a part of organizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta was founded on January 13, 1913, at Howard University by twenty-two women who were former members of Alpha Kappa Alpha.[4] After graduation, she along with fellow founder Marguerite Young Alexander helped to form a chapter in Chicago, Illinois.[5] She also served as national treasurer.[6] Delta Sigma Theta named an award in her honor, for members who contributed to the arts and drama.[1]

Personal life

After graduating from Howard, Osceola married Numa P.G. Adams, a chemistry professor, member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and first African-American Dean of Howard Medical School.[7] She moved to Chicago in 1921.[8] She also taught at Bennett College.[9] Osceola later moved to New York City where she was a director of the Putnam Country Theater in New York City.[10]

Acting and directing

She was one of the first African-American actresses on Broadway.[11] While acting, Osceola would reveal later that she faced discrimination in asegregated environment of acting during the early part of the 20th century. Osceola appeared in several plays. She appeared in The Emperor Jones with Paul Robeson and later acted in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.[1] With directing, she helped to start the careers of Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte.[11] She also appeared in television commercials after retiring. She died in 1983 in New York City.[1]



































































































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