It is February and Black History month celebration for Americans and Africans all over the world. So our celebrant today is Hattie McDaniel who became the first African woman to win an Oscar.

Hattie won the award in 1939 because of her role in the movie, “Gone With the Wind”. However, she was not allowed to watch the premiere of the movie because she was black. And the movie was showing in a white only movie theatre.

But that did not hinder Hattie McDaniel as she continued acting, singing and having her comedy shows. Thus becoming the first black woman to be on radio in the United States of America. Furthermore, she featured in over threee hundred movies and was credited for less than one third of the movies.

Ms McDaniel suffered racism throughout her life but she never let it get to her. It was so bad that when she passed away in 1952 from breast cancer, her last wish was thwarted. And you would not believe what she wanted.

Her final wish before passing away was to be interred in Hollywood Cemetery. But she could not be laid there because she was born black. It was an all white cemetery and so she was laid to rest somewhere else.

So as we close this celebration, she is still resting in the blacks only cemetery. And she is still an inspiration to us all. Rest in power Hattie.

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