Give Hattie McDaniel an Oscar; Support the replacement of her plaque Petition
“One of the most pivotal figures in 20th century African American history: a true trail-blazer who, in spite of the insurmountable odds against her, managed to make her own mark in Jim Crow America– and she did so with both her dignity in-tact and an overwhelming sense of self worth.”
– The Retro Set
“She was the first Black person to be invited to the Oscars, and she was also relegated to the back of the room. She went on to win the award for Best Supporting Actress and proudly ascended the Cocoanut Grove’s stage to accept the Oscar.
She was the first Black person to attend the Oscars, the first Black Oscar nominee and the first Black Oscar Winner – all in one night.”
“This is one of the happiest moments of my life, and I want to thank each one of you who had a part in selecting me for one of their awards, for your kindness. It has made me feel very, very humble; and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything that I may be able to do in the future. I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry. My heart is too full to tell you just how I feel, and may I say thank you and God bless you.”
“Born on June 10, 1895, in Wichita, Kansas, Hattie was one of 13 children and the daughter of former slaves Henry and Susan McDaniel. Hattie’s father Henry McDaniel fought in the Civil War with the 122nd USCT and his mother, Susan Holbert, was a singer of religious music. In 1900, the family moved to Colorado, living first in Fort Collins and then in Denver, where Hattie graduated from Denver East High School.” (Wikipedia)
After working as early as the 1910s as a band vocalist, Hattie McDaniel debuted as a maid in The Golden West (1932).
From the 1860s to the 1960s one of the few employment opportunities for Black women in America was as a domestic servant. Consequently, the Mammy stereotype became the standard characterization of Black women in film and television.
McDaniel was presented her Academy Award by actress Fay Bainter. McDaniel was the first person of ‘color’ to win an Oscar.
