The Legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson

 First Lady of Opera

"Opera is no longer a luxury, Opera is a vital necessity. It belongs to the people. We all must move and keep moving." - Mary Cardwell Dawson

   Mary Cardwell Dawson (1894-1962) was an African American opera singer, composer, and music educator who is best known for founding the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC) in 1941. She was born in Madison, North Carolina, and began her musical training at the age of five. She studied at the Pittsburgh Musical Institute and the New England Conservatory of Music, and later taught music in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. In the 1920s, Dawson began performing in concerts and recitals, and she was the first African American to perform at the White House in 1927. She also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. 

  

   At a time when it was very difficult for a Black person to pursue any form of music, here you have a Black woman who built a table that welcomed others to sit with her! The National Negro Opera Company (NNOC) was founded in 1941 by Mary Cardwell Dawson. Although it was not the first African-American opera company, it was certainly one of the largest opera company in the United States. By providing African American artists with performance opportunities, the NNOC made a lasting impact on the representation of African Americans in the performing arts. 

    The National Negro Opera Company was renowned for its performances of European classical opera, which was a rare opportunity for African Americans at the time. Despite the company's success in the 1940s and 1950s, it eventually closed in 1961 due to financial difficulties. However, the impact of the NNOC on African American representation in the performing arts still resonates today. The formation of the NNOC was an important step in the diversification of the performing arts, and it opened the door for African Americans to pursue careers in the industry. “The NNOC was an important force in the African American cultural landscape, and it stands as a testament to the dedication, passion, and commitment of the company's members and supporters.” 

   

The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson: How One Woman Changed the Face of Music Education

    The theme of race relations plays an important role in understanding "The Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson." In the musical, Mary Cardwell Dawson is a Black woman who experiences a range of emotions as she navigates a white-dominated society. She is determined to achieve her goals and refuses to let racism stand in her way, yet she also struggles to reconcile her ambition and her identity. Dawson's journey is reflective of the larger struggle of many people of color to create a sense of identity and purpose within a society that denigrates them.

    Throughout history, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and policing have played a major role in the personal and professional lives of African American musicians. This is especially true in the case of Mary Cardwell Dawson, an African American classical composer and music educator who lived in the early twentieth century. According to KM Bryan in their 2003 Journal of Historical Research in Music, Dawson “lived in a time of great racial tension and discrimination.” This tension and discrimination had a major impact on her professional story. For example, it was difficult for her to receive fair recognition for her compositional talents, as many of her works went unrecognized. Additionally, her teaching career was hampered by the fact that she was not allowed to teach in certain schools because of the color of her skin. This had a profound effect on Dawson, as it limited her ability to contribute to music education in the way she wanted. 

    Not only do elements like racism inform her experiences, but challenges to alienation, identity, and belonging are all intertwined with how Dawson was viewed in relation to her race. By contextualizing the discourse of race relations throughout her story, it opens the door to deepening one's understanding of the intricacies of her experiences as an African American musician struggling to realize her dream of becoming a celebrated singer. 

Modern Time Connection to the Arts

  Mary Cardwell Dawson's story is an inspiring one that, when viewed through the lens of Tyler Perry's modern-day accomplishments, highlights the persistence and resilience of African-American musicians and artists. Tyler Perry has achieved incredible success, however, his achievements were not won easily. Despite many racist and oppressive cultural practices, laws, and norms in place that sought to hinder the progress of African-Americans, Tyler Perry's sheer determination and hard work helped pave the way to his dreams. By understanding the obstacles, the journey, and the ultimate success of both Mary Cardwell Dawson and Tyler Perry, we can gain invaluable lessons to help shape and break down the systems of injustice we see today.  

"My biggest success is getting over the things that have tried to destroy and take me out of this life. Those are my biggest successes. It has nothing to do with work." - Tyler Perry

    Tyler Perry is one of the most renowned and successful American filmmakers today. Having produced movies, television shows, plays, and written books, Tyler Perry has inspired millions and is a true testament to never giving up. Throughout his journey to success, however, Tyler Perry was met with many barriers that hindered achieve his goals. As an African American male in the entertainment industry, Perry had to prove himself to the predominantly white Hollywood business model. His lack of access to resources and networks of power made it almost impossible for him to break into the industry. For example, Perry was often denied roles due to their race and gender, which was a direct result of the racism and sexism that permeated Hollywood in the 1990s and early 2000s. In addition, Perry was often the target of criticism from other African-American filmmakers for their "commercialized" works, which were seen as too mainstream for many black audiences. Despite these numerous challenges, Perry was able to challenge the existing power structures and create new opportunities for himself, as well as for other African Americans and other minorities in the entertainment industry. 

    It is clear that there are still hurdles today, both legally and culturally, inhibiting individuals from achieving their dreams, just as Mary Cardwell Dawson had to overcome during her time. Through laws such as the Jim Crow Acts and racial stereotypes, cultural and social norms play a major role in limiting the access of certain groups. However, understanding the struggles of those who have come before us, such as Mary Cardwell, provides a source of guidance and inspiration for all! Through her tenacity and resilience, she was able to make a name for herself and inform the future generations to come that all dreams are achievable, no matter the odds. We must use Mary Cardwell Dawson's story as a foundation to continue challenging these pre-existing social inequalities, allowing more and more individuals to reach their full potential.

Sources:

https://journals.psu.edu/wph/article/view/60962

https://search.proquest.com/openview/2f69ec5ab541d6e2bf5088ef538960bc/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/freedom-riders-jim-crow-laws/