s1 e3 — MAMIE SMITH and CAROLINE ASTOR: What do you get when you play the blues backwards?
This week, Miriam tells the story of Blues pioneer Mamie Smith, and Lavetta tells the story of New York queen bee socialite Caroline Astor.
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In this episode, Miriam introduces vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist, and actress Mamie Smith (American, 1891–1946), who became the first black woman to record blues music. Her recordings paved the way for other black artists and helped establish black traditions in popular culture. Next, Lavetta introduces socialite Caroline Astor (American, 1830–1930), a member of New York's Dutch aristocracy and a prominent figure in high society during the Gilded Age. Mrs. Astor, which was how she was often referred to, was married into the wealthy Astor family and became the foremost authority in American high society. Alongside Ward McAllister, she established the Society of Patriarchs, a list of individuals considered part of fashionable society. Her influence and social standing were unparalleled, but her power waned as society changed. She left a lasting legacy as a symbol of the Gilded Age elite.
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If you like this episode, please join us weekly for more discussions of notorious women.
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