Disability History Fact: Cyd Charisse
Office of the Governor Texas sent this bulletin at 10/16/2013 08:00 AM CDTCommittee on People with Disabilities
Cyd Charisse (1922 – 2008), the famous dancer and actress, was born Tula Ellice Finklea in Amarillo, Texas. As a child she had polio and at age six, she began dancing lessons to help her overcome the weakness in her legs. Her father took an interest in Cyd’s developing ballet talent and, when she was fourteen, he sent her to a professional school in California on the advice of her dance instructor. She eventually became involved in Hollywood films, where her roles usually focused on her abilities as a dancer. She starred in movies with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly; her films include Singing in the Rain, The Band Wagon, and Silk Stockings. She was awarded the National Medal of the Arts and Humanities in 2006.
Adapted from:
Kassie Dixon, "FINKLEA, TULA ELLICE [CYD CHARISSE]," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ffi58), accessed September 27, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association
and
"Cyd Charisse," Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyd_Charisse), accessed September 27, 2013.
The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities (Committee) provides GovDelivery updates for informational purposes on a variety of disability related issues for a diverse audience. Updates may include information provided by external sources. The inclusion of this external information does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the Committee or the Office of the Governor of any information, policy, product, or service offered by an external source.
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com.