Brave Ballerina
Michelle Meadows
Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins
(Henry Holt and Co., 2019)
Brave Ballerina is a lyrical picture book biography of Janet Collins, the first black prima ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera House. Collins wanted to be a ballerina in the 1930s and '40s, when racial segregation was widespread in the United States. Still, she pursued dance with a passion, commiting to private lessons after being excluded from discriminatory dance schools. For example, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo required that she paint her skin white in order to blend in with the other dancers onstage. A remarkable pioneer, Janet refused.
10:00 AM | Bethel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
Michelle Meadows
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE PANEL
Michelle Meadows studied journalism and literature at Syracuse University. Living near Bethany Beach, she is working on her 10th book, a picture book biography about Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.
The Children’s Literature Panel will be moderated by Illona Holland. Ms. Holland received her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where she later served on the faculty. In her retirement she has taken up writing award-winning children’s books.