Mayor Sheila Dixon has proclaimed August 25, 2009 as “Henrietta Vinton Davis Day” in Baltimore.
Tag Archives: Marcus Garvey
Livication 2009
PRESS RELEASE
4/9/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Nnamdi Azikiwe
202-483-6097
email: info@ladydavis.org
website: http://www.ladydavis.org
blog: http://henriettavintondavis.blogspot.com
AUGUST 25, 2009 is HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS DAY
-Events to recognize cultural icon-
Washington, DC –Today the Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation announced plans to host Livication Day 2009. The Foundation has as its mission to raise awareness of the life and legacy of Shakespearean actor, elocutionist, dramatic reader and activist Henrietta Vinton Davis.
Miss Davis remained relatively unrecognized until July 1983 when an article entitled “Henrietta Vinton Davis and the Garvey Movement” by Professor William Seraille was published in the journal ‘Afro-Americans in New York Life and History’. Nearly a year later, acknowledgment of her contributions increased with the publication of the book ‘Shakespeare in Sable’ written by Professor Errol Hill of Dartmouth University. In 1994, actor Clayton LeBouef received a commission to write a play on her life entitled ‘Shero: The Livication of Henrietta Vinton Davis.’ Her home in Northeast Washington, DC has been listed on Cultural Tourism DC’s African American Heritage Trail since 1999.
In 2008, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty issued a proclamation designating August 25 ‘Henrietta Vinton Davis Day.’ The designation furthers the Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of Miss Davis’ life and garner funds to place a marker at her grave. The decree issued in 2008 acknowledges Davis as the first African American to work at the DC Recorder of Deeds office beginning in 1878, before Frederick Douglas was appointed Recorder. The proclamation also recognizes Miss Davis’ significance as a cultural icon. She made her career debut as a Shakespearean actor, elocutionist, dramatic reader and impressionist in Washington, DC on April 25, 1883 where she was introduced by Douglas, a family friend.
The proclamation also acknowledges the success of Miss Davis as a public speaker. During 1919, a year remembered for its “Red Summer,” she joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League headed by Marcus Garvey.
The Livication Service will be conducted at her grave site located in National Harmony Memorial Park 7101 Sheriff Road Largo, MD (phone:301-772-0900). on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. Other activities are also in the planning stages.
About Henrietta Vinton Davis
For thirty-five years after her debut performing “Shakespearean delineations”, original plays and dramatic readings with her own performing company, and local troupes throughout the United States, South America and the Caribbean, Henrietta Vinton Davis broke new ground as a successful theatrical artisan in the United States. Her dedication to her craft gained her recognition as the first African American “woman of the stage.”
As a leader of the African Redemption Movement beginning in 1919, Davis made use of her acting skills to promote the aims and objectives of the UNIA. Her ability to “transport her listeners” to another place with her oratorical skills played a key role in both attracting members to the organization and promoting the Black Star Line Shipping Company. As such, she was elected to numerous positions including International Organizer, and Third Assistant President General of the UNIA. Additionally, as Vice President and a Director of the Black Star Line. Davis was the de facto authority aboard the Black Star Line’s flagship vessel, the S.S. Yarmouth, on its maiden voyage. The ship was laden with a cargo worth upwards of $5.000.000 destined for the Caribbean. On the ship’s return Marcus Garvey proclaimed Miss Davis “the greatest woman of the [African] race today” in a meeting at the UNIA’s Liberty Hall.
About The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation
Initially organized to raise funds solely to place a marker at the grave of Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis in 2005, the mission of The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation has evolved to include educating the general public on her life by producing plays, publishing books, producing documentary videos and conducting symposiums educating the general public about her life and the times in which she lived.
A scene from the play Christophe by William Edgar Easton
Proclamation for Henrietta Vinton Davis Day
SHINE ON, ETERNAL LIGHT
SHINE ON, ETERNAL LIGHT
Tune — “Hamiltonia”
words and Music by ARNOLD J. FORD
Shine on, Eternal Light
To greet our souls this day;
Dispel the gloominess of night
And drive our doubts away.
Our longing eyes prepare
When war and strife shall cease,
To view the morn soon to appear;
The “New Era” of Peace.
Thy Temple O our God,
No kingdom can remove,
Made without hands, this blest abode,
The Harbinger of Love.
Of all the gifts that flow
From Thy great throne above,
We ask Thee on our hearts bestow
The gift of “Perfect Love.”
My soul the Light receives
And dares the Truth to prove,
Not in blind ignorance believes,
But knows that God is love.
Come Love, and give new birth
To man’s destructive mind.
Spread where confusion reigns on earth
Good-will to all mankind.
Shine on, Eternal Light,
Thy penetrating ray
Shall turn the hour of darkest night
Into Eternal Day.
Christophe; a tragedy in prose of imperial Haiti
A scene from the play Christophe by William Edgar Easton
Christophe; a tragedy in prose of imperial Haiti
Henrietta Vinton Davis staged, directed and acted in William Edgar Easton’s play, “Christophe” on April 3, 1912 at the Lenox Casino in Harlem, New York City. It was the second collaboration between the two, having staged a production of Easton’s Dessalines in Chicago during 1893.
Although the leading actress of African ancestry in the United States, in order for her to appear in reputable plays it was necessary that she direct, write and act in plays which she produced.
Scenes from the life of a Shero – www.ladydavis.org
To Henrietta Vinton Davis.
To Henrietta Vinton Davis.
As you stood in your womanly beauty,
In garments of glittering sheen,
Our hearts bowed down in gracious homage,
And we crowned you as our queen.
In garments of glittering sheen,
Our hearts bowed down in gracious homage,
And we crowned you as our queen.
Although many have been before thee,
Thou beautiful dark-eyed queen,
None more worthy of allegiance
On the throne was ever seen.
Thou beautiful dark-eyed queen,
None more worthy of allegiance
On the throne was ever seen.
For whether in joy or in sorrow
Thy magic art has been seen
We sat enslaved by thy sweet caprice,
Our fair, yes, charming queen.
Thy magic art has been seen
We sat enslaved by thy sweet caprice,
Our fair, yes, charming queen.
We pledge thee our loyal allegiance,
We pledge thee our sympathy keen,
We pledge thee the love of a nation
And crown thee fore’er our queen!
We pledge thee our sympathy keen,
We pledge thee the love of a nation
And crown thee fore’er our queen!
(Katherine Davis Tillman, in New York Age.)
LIVICATION TRIBUTE TO LADY HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS
MONDAY – AUGUST 25, 2008
TRIBUTE TO
LADY HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS
A MEMORIAL ON THE OCCASION OF LADY DAVIS’ 148TH EARTHDAY
10:00AM Livication Service at National Harmony Memorial Park 7101 Sheriff Road Largo, MD 20792
3:00PM -6:00PM Program at Martin Luther King Library room A-4
7:00PM Rally at UNIA Liberty Hall
Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis
Shakespearean Actor, Elocutionist, Dramatic Reader, UNIA International Organizer, Black Star Line Vice President
Henrietta Vinton Davis born August 25, 1860 Baltimore, Maryland, joined the ancestors on November 23, 1941 in Washington, DC.
An only child, her father, Mansfield Vinton Davis was a musician who passed away when she was very young. Her mother Mary Ann Davis married influential Baltimorean George Alexander Hackett. Hackett passed away when Davis was 9 years old. She and her mother then moved to Washington, DC.
Davis schooled in Washington until the age of 15. She became a schoolteacher in Maryland. Eventually, she went to work at the DC Recorder of Deeds in 1878 before Frederick Douglass.
Her desire for a theatrical career inspired her to study under Miss Marguerite E. Saxton. April 25, 1883 Miss Davis was introduced in her debut as an actor by Frederick Douglass. For over thirty-five years she was the premier African-American woman of the stage performing “Shakespearean Delineations”, original plays and dramatic readings throughout the USA, Caribbean and Central America.
In 1919 her career took a dramatic turn when Lady Davis joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League headed by Marcus Garvey. Initially chosen as International Organizer, she eventually held positions as Assistant President-General and Vice-President of the Black Star Line. On Black Star Line flagship SS Frederick Douglass’ maiden voyage, she was the ranking member of the UNIA and the Black Star Line as it carried its cargo worth upwards of $5,000,000 to Cuba.
After leaving Jamaica where she continued supporting Garvey, she returned to the USA. There she joined the UNIA, Inc. headquartered in NY city. In 1934 she was elected President-General of that group.
At the age of eighty-one she joined the ancestors. Having been divorced, without children of her own and livicating her life to bettering the condition of her people, she was buried in Harmony Cemetery in Washington, D.C. without a marker for her grave.
The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation
Giving Campaign Donation Form
Yes! I want to donate to the Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation! Please complete this form, print it out, and enclose it with your payment,
payable to: The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation
Mail to: The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation
C/O The Mhotep Corporation
P.O. Box 43583
Washington, DC 20010
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The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. All contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
Thank you for your support!
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
08/09/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Nnamdi Azikiwe
202-483-6097
email: info@ladydavis.org
website: http://www.ladydavis.org
blog: http://henriettavintondavis.blogspot.com
D.C. MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY DECLARES AUGUST 25 HENRIETTA VINTON DAVIS DAY
-Proclamation recognizes cultural icon-
Washington, DC –The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation announced today that DC Mayor Adrian Fenty has proclaimed August 25, 2008 ‘Henrietta Vinton Davis Day.’ The designation comes on the day the Foundation plans to unveil a marker at Miss Davis’ grave in National Harmony Park located in Landover, Maryland. The Foundation plans to host a memorial service at the grave site that day at 10:00 A.M.
The decree acknowledges Davis as the first African American to work at the DC Recorder of Deeds office beginning in 1878 before Frederick Douglas. The proclamation also recognizes Miss Davis’ significance as a cultural icon. She made her debut in her career as an actor, elocutionist, dramatic reader and impressionist in Washington, DC on April 25, 1883 where she was introduced by the then Recorder of Deeds, Frederick Douglas.
Furthermore, the proclamation acknowledges the success of Miss Davis as a public speaker. During 1919, a year remembered for its “Red Summer,” she joined the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League headed by Marcus Garvey.
About Henrietta Vinton Davis
For thirty-five years after her debut performing “Shakespearean delineations”, original plays and dramatic readings with her own performing company, and local troupes throughout the United States, South America and the Caribbean, Henrietta Vinton Davis broke new ground as a successful theatrical artisan in the United States. Her dedication to her craft gained her recognition as the first African American “woman of the stage.”
As a leader of the African Redemption Movement beginning in 1919, Davis made use of her acting skills to promote the aims and objectives of the UNIA. Her ability to “transport her listeners” to another place with her oratorical skills played a key role in both attracting members to the organization and promoting the Black Star Line Shipping Company. As such, she was elected to numerous positions including International Organizer, and Third Assistant President General of the UNIA, as well as, Vice President of the Black Star Line. On the maiden voyage of the Black Star Line’s flagship vessel with a cargo worth upwards of $5.000.000 to the Caribbean, Davis was the ranking member of both the UNIA and the Black Star Line.
About The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation
Initially organized to raise funds merely to place a marker at the grave and to the legacy of Lady Henrietta Vinton Davis in 2005, the mission of The Henrietta Vinton Davis Memorial Foundation has evolved to include educating the general public on her life by producing plays, publishing books, producing documentary videos and conducting symposiums educating the general public about her life and the times in which she lived.
Proclamation for Henrietta Vinton Dav
REPORT FROM THE UNIA HIGH COMMISSIONER TO GHANA
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Click here to visit The Negro World Newspaper online
REPORT FROM THE UNIA HIGH COMMISSIONER TO GHANA The definition of Diaspora – according to the African Union is as follows: The UNIA High Commssioner in Ghana discussed with Dr. Bennett her upcoming input at the AU meeting and she assured him of a briefing upon her return. Ghana, under President Koffour is an active participant in the AU. Dr. Bennett informed the UNIA High Commissioner of some current historic moments in Africa. In February of this year Nana Kweku Primpa Kalachuri II, her son, was en-stooled in the village Bono Manso, in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The People of Bono Manso have dedicated 25 Acres of Land to the Ancestral Memory of African American Heroes and Heroines. UNIA-ACL High Commissioner to Ghana Nana Prempeh recently visited the historic site.and noted that it is the poeple of this area who have built these monuments to our ancestors with the hope of enlightening the youth about the greatness of our race.
The UNIA-ACL in Ghana intends to continue building on the Garvey Site. On Sunday August 17TH, 2008 the UNIA & ACL in conjunction with the Caribbean Association and the Rastafarian Association along with the African American Association of Ghana – will have a “Great Garvey Day” celebration at Bono Manso site. At that time we will raise the “Red, Black, and Green” flag of the UNIA and the Ghanaian national flag with the Black Star of Garvey, since this is the only site in Ghana with a monument to the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey. The UNIA in Ghana has also proposed to build a Garvey Hall to house a Museum, Book-brary, as well as a Gift Shop & Restaurant. Monuments to Amy Ashwood & Amy Jacques Garvey are also in the plans.
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The site consist of 4 monuments & allocated Land. 10 Acres for the Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey + pedestal & Bust; 5 Acres for El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcolm X) + pedestal & Bust; 5 Acres for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. + pedestal & Bust; Coretta Scott-King & Rosa Parks have pedestals with full color pictures; 5 Acres for our Ancestral Kings and Queens of West Africa.Miss Henrietta Davis of UNIA Buried in D.C.
Funeral services for Miss Henrietta Vinton Davis, 65, elocutionist, dramatic art and music teacher, and
Universal Negro Improvement Association official, were held Wednesday afternoon at the A.S. Pope Funeral Home, with the Rev. I.M. Gray officiating.
Henrietta Vinton Davis with UNIA commissioners sent to Liberia in 1924
Miss Davis died Sunday morning after a lengthy illness. The body was interred at Harmony Cemetery. She is survived only by a cousin, Mrs. Georgianna Jackson of 721 Dolphin Street, Baltimore.
Studied in Europe
Miss Davis, a native of Baltimore, attended public schools in Washington, became a teacher at 15 and shortly thereafter went abroad and studied elocution and drama at institutions in France, London and Germany.
In 1921, she began her work in the West Indies as fourth assistant president-general of the UNIA, serving at outposts in South and Central America, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Port au Prince, Haiti; Trinidad and Jamaica.
Made World-Wide Tours
In 1929, she became assistant president-general, serving directly under the late Marcus Garvey, founder of the movement. While he went to London, she remained in Kingston, B.W.I., until the following year when she returned to the United States.
Miss Davis made world-wide tours, giving lectures in the interest of the UNIA until ill health forced her retirement.
– taken from the Washington Afro, November 29, 1941 page 5
