Eartha Kitt: An icon never to be forgotten

Melissa Williams
Nov 30, 2017
2 min read

Herstory: C’est Si Bon

Eartha Mae Kitt was born on a cotton plantation farm in South Carolina in 1927. She born out of wedlock to her African American mother she had been conceived by rape. She was sent to live with foster parents in New York City when she was 8 years old where she grew up to become acquainted with the Jazz scene and thus forth inspired by the genre.Although from growing up in poverty, She could speak fluently in 4 languages and could sing in 7. Her hardships spanned for the majority of her life, from being abandoned by her father, witnessing her mother die, growing up in poverty and experienced double racism regularly due to her mixed heritage.

was a singer who rose up from poverty to become one the most iconic American cabaret and jazz singers of the 1950s.

She experienced a vibrant and illustrious career, spanning over Broadway, the music industry and film. She is an icon on many platforms that are still upheld to this day. Her voice sultry voice sang the hits 'C'est Si Bon', 'I want to be Evil' & 'The Girl from Ipanema'. Her passionate voice translated into her fiery personality which unintentionally earned her the label of an activist when she spoke out against the Vietnam War during a lunch at the White House and was consequently blacklisted by the CIA. Her activism continued into her later years as she regularly stood for the equal rights of the LGBT community. She lived her life fearlessly and authentically stating "My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what i think or of my opinions"

Along with her notably distinct voice and personality, her fashion also conveyed her own unique style. She rocked the 50s and 60s with her daring fashion which seamlessly matched her character. Her sultry persona was translated into her signatures fashion styles with bold animal prints and turbans.