Nannie C. Burden (1891–1947) was a Coloratura soprano and clubwoman in New York City.[1] She also ran for political office.

Nannie Burden in The Kansas City Sun, May 23, 1914

She was described as an operatic soprano of international reputation[2] and as one of the "most charming and accomplished" sopranos of African American heritage.[3] In October 1916 she performed at a church in Philadelphia.[4] She was involved with the National Association of Colored Women and her address listed as 2 Fourth Street, Nicholas Place, Apartment 42 in New York City.[5] In 1929 she was named regional president of the Empire State Federation of Women's Clubs.[6] She chaired the Burden Artist Bureau. Julia P. H. Coleman was the group's secretary.[7] She was a member of the St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church (now St. Mark's United Methodist Church) in New York.[8]

She is buried at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on Staten Island.[9] Robert T. Bess eulogized her at the cemetery on Decoration Day in 1950.[9] Bess was founded the Nannie C. Burden Book Lovers Club, Inc. and served as its president.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ Perry, Elisabeth Israels (March 6, 2019). After the Vote: Feminist Politics in La Guardia's New York. Oxford University Press. p. 107. ISBN 9780199341863 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Soprano Will Give Program Here Monday". Times Herald. 5 July 1929. p. 9. Retrieved 1 June 2022. 
  3. ^ "A Magnificent Recital". The Kansas City Sun. May 23, 1914. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Keiler, Allan (June 30, 2002). Marian Anderson: A Singer's Journey. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 9780252070679 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Mary Church Terrell Papers: Subject File, 1884–1962; National Association of Colored Women, 1897–1962; Miscellaneous; 1930–1936". crowd.loc.gov.
  6. ^ "Regional President". The New York Age. 23 November 1929. p. 2. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Clipped from the Pittsburgh Courier". The Pittsburgh Courier. November 26, 1927. p. 6 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Manhattan and Bronx Newsettes". The New York Age. 1934-02-17. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  9. ^ a b "Hold Memorial Service for Nannie C. Burden". The New York Age. June 17, 1950. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Who's Who in Commerce and Industry. Marquis Who's Who. 1965. p. 100.