Etta Moten Barnett (November , â€" January , ) was an American
actress and contralto vocalist, who was identified with her signature
role of "Bess" in Porgy and Bess. She created new roles for
African-American women on stage and screen. After her performing
career, Barnett was active in Chicago as a major philanthropist and
civic activist, raising funds for and supporting cultural, social and
church institutions. Etta Moten was born in Weimar, Texas, the only
child of a Methodist minister, Rev. Freeman F. Moten, and his wife
Ida. She started singing as a child in the church choir.She attended
Western University, a historically black college (HBCU) in Quindaro,
Kansas, where she studied music. She completed her education at the
University of Kansas, where she earned a B.A. in voice and drama in .
Moten became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which provided a
network throughout her career.
actress and contralto vocalist, who was identified with her signature
role of "Bess" in Porgy and Bess. She created new roles for
African-American women on stage and screen. After her performing
career, Barnett was active in Chicago as a major philanthropist and
civic activist, raising funds for and supporting cultural, social and
church institutions. Etta Moten was born in Weimar, Texas, the only
child of a Methodist minister, Rev. Freeman F. Moten, and his wife
Ida. She started singing as a child in the church choir.She attended
Western University, a historically black college (HBCU) in Quindaro,
Kansas, where she studied music. She completed her education at the
University of Kansas, where she earned a B.A. in voice and drama in .
Moten became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, which provided a
network throughout her career.
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