Part of the 3rd Grade East She Persisted Series

Introduction 

Have you ever thought about becoming a pianist, singer, or maybe even a civil rights activist? Well then you have come to the right place. This is Nina Simone. She’s a pianist, a singer, and a civil rights activist. She’s also a woman of color. Here is some information about her early years, life as an adult, and accomplishments. I hope you enjoy it! 

Early Years

Nina was born on February 21, 1933, and died on April 21, 2003. Nina was three years old when she started playing the piano. She played the piano by ear. She couldn’t even reach the pedals! Nina trained to become a classical pianist from age six onwards.    

Life as an Adult

Nina used her voice as a megaphone for the civil rights movement in the sixties and said “There’s no excuse for young people not knowing who the heroes and heroines were.’’   

Accomplishments

Nina Simone accomplished many things. Nina started playing piano at three and before she could even reach the pedals, and with hard work became a famous musician. Nina got into a college and got an education, from the world-famous Juilliard School. Nina also became a Civil Rights activist and demanded equal rights for African-American people. Nina broke cultural barriers.

Conclusion

Nina had to persist throughout her musical career because at that time it was mostly men that performed in jazz bands, and Nina was a woman. Nina Simone was a changemaker by demanding, not asking for equal rights.                    

“There’s no excuse for young people not knowing who the  heroes and heroines were.”

-Nina Simone