Billie Holiday | Voice of Protest

This episode of Ballots and Beyond, contributed by the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, was edited from the Maryland Archives biography by Kalin Thomas, a volunteer with Maryland Women’s Heritage Center.   It is read by Larzine Talley, musician who frequently performs Billie Holiday’s music and sings in her style.

In just a short lifetime, Baltimore-raised Holiday became one of the nation’s most famous African American jazz musicians. In 1938, she joined Artie Shaw’s Orchestra, forming one of America’s first racially integrated bands. Her talent helped her break the segregation rules of Jim Crow, as she enjoyed access to some of the best labels, orchestras, and song choices throughout America and Europe.  

Ballot & Beyond is powered by Preservation Maryland and PreserveCast with support from Gallagher Evelius & Jones and the Maryland Historical Trust.