Lorraine Hansberry

Born May 19, 1930, Chicago, Illinois.—died January 12, 1965

Lorraine Hansbury fought to overcome gender and racial stereotypes to become a renowned playwright, feminist and racial justice activist. She was the first Black woman to have a show produced on Broadway, A Raisin in the Sun. 

Her play was nominated for 4 Tony Awards and won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. The play gave Black Americans representation on the stage and brought them into the theater as the audience. Her success “opened the doors for and inspired” many Black American artists. 

Hansberry lived in Croton-on-Hudson while she continued her artistic and civil rights work.