Women of Note

Sightings and Links Cont'd

Flygirls, is a companion to the television special that aired on PBS. The Scout Report lists the 60-minute television special as "documenting the largely unknown story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) who signed up to fly with the US military during World War II. The show featured testimonials from former WASPs who discuss the planes they flew, the challenges they met, and the pride they felt in contributing to the American war effort. The accompanying Web site contains a reference section that includes interview transcripts, a list of books and articles used as sources for the film, and Fly Girls- related documents and letters. The site also contains a WASP timeline from 1937-1979, interactive maps of four trips made by Teresa James between various air bases, a teachers' reference guide, and much more."

 

Women of Note

Hadda Brooks received a review of her songs at the JVC Jazz Festival that spoke of lovesickness and heartache, revealing 'the peaks of melodrama.' Not bad for a lady of 84, born in 1916.

In an interview, she spoke about being the first black woman who had her own TV program:

"The name of the show was the "Hadda Brooks Show." It came on Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. My theme song was "That's My Desire" and the top of the grand piano when I was seated was raised and people could view me through the piano."

NPR did an interview with Ms. Brooks and she was enjoyed a new popularity with younger celebrities. Another article said that "Hadda Brooks was neither fish nor fowl, not primitive enough for blues and boogie fans, nor did she have the improvisational skills valued by jazzers. She was, and is, however, perfect for the Ultra Lounge crowd."

Jon Pareles review in the Times ends:

"Yet she allowed only a glimpse of a wounded heart, refusing to overplay. With her timing, she recovered her equanimity in an instant, as if to insist that in the long run, love's charms are more durable than its pain."