Mills, Florence (1895–1927)

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Mills, Florence (1895–1927)

African-American actress, singer and dancer. Born Florence Winfree, Jan 25, 1895 (some sources cite 1896), in Washington, DC; died of appendicitis in New York, NY, Nov 1, 1927; dau. of John Winfree and Nellie (Simons) Winfree; m. Ulysses Thompson (dancer and comedian).

Beloved entertainer whose performances in musical theater productions like Shuffle Along and Blackbirds made her an international star and a popular figure of the Harlem Renaissance; by age 5, was winning dance contests; made 1st stage appearance at 8 in a Washington, DC, production of Sons of Ham; toured with Bonita Stage Co. as a "pickaninny" with the singing and dancing chorus; performed in the Mills Trio with sisters Olivia and Maude; later formed the Panama Trio with Ada Smith and Cora Green; toured with Tennessee Ten Co. in a trio with husband and Fredi Johnson; received important professional break with Shuffle Along (1921); performed in numerous other Broadway and Harlem productions, including Dixie to Broadway (1924) and Blackbirds (1926), which brought her international recognition.

See also Women in World History.

Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages

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