Oprah's Legends Ball On ABC 5/22/06

[PrettyPhenomnal]

It was truly an amazing sight to behold the legends and young'uns gathering. I cannot imagine the energy that was in that room the day when everyone showed up. Kudos to Oprah who is one of the people on this planet that I admire the most and one of the people that has been criticized by many of our people for "not doing enough" for our people. It was an affair to remember.

[AKA2D '91]

I "sent" Oprah an email, per her website. Maybe if many of us will send an email requesting: (1) To re-air the show; (2) To put an uncut version of the weekend on DVD; (3) all of the above, maybe she will feel inclined to do so or she will contact ABC to have the show repeated because of overwhelming responses from viewers.

Al Sharpton, this AM, on TJMS suggested that we use Memorial Day to not only pay homage to fallen soldiers, but also to those in our families/communities who are Legends as well.

[aopirose]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
I "sent" Oprah an email, per her website. Maybe if many of us will send an email requesting: (1) To re-air the show; (2) To put an uncut version of the weekend on DVD; (3) all of the above, maybe she will feel inclined to do so or she will contact ABC to have the show repeated because of overwhelming responses from viewers.

Al Sharpton, this AM, on TJMS suggested that we use Memorial Day to not only pay homage to fallen soldiers, but also to those in our families/communities who are Legends as well.

Done. I started crying again thinking not only of these celebrity Legends, but also the Legends in my own life.

[Gold]

I was moved, inspired and honored by the program. I was honored that she would even put it out there for us to see. It definitely has made me dream bigger and honor the women in my life while they are here for me to enjoy.

I am a big fan of Oprah's and I could not stop crying because I truly believe that this was from her heart and not for show.

I would have like to see Queen Latifah be involved because I think she is definitely a pioneer and would have appreciated being a part of that moment.

I loved it and I taped so that I can watch it for motivation!

[mccoyred]

I am surprised no one made that observation that most of the Legends are Greek women whereas very few of the Young'Uns are Greek and of those they are the 'older' ones. What does this say, if anything, about our organizations and their role in individual success and relevance in this generation?

Legends

Maya Angelou - AKA
Shirley Caesar - DST
Diahann Carroll -
Elizabeth Catlett - DST
Ruby Dee - DST
Katherine Dunham - ?
Roberta Flack - DST
Aretha Franklin - DST
Nikki Giovanni - DST
Dorothy Height - DST
Lena Horne - DST
Coretta Scott King - AKA
Gladys Knight - AKA
Patti LaBelle ----
Toni Morrison - AKA?
Rosa Parks - AKA
Leontyne Price - DST
Della Reese ---
Diana Ross ---
Naomi Sims - ?
Tina Turner ---
Cicely Tyson - DST
Alice Walker - AKA
Dionne Warwick - ZPB
Nancy Wilson - DST


YoungUns

Yolanda Adams ---
Debbie Allen ---
Ashanti ---
Tyra Banks ---
Kathleen Battle - DST?
Angela Bassett ---
Halle Berry ---
Mary J Blige ---
Naomi Campbell ---
Mariah Carey ---
Pearl Cleage - DST?
Natalie Cole - DST
Suzanne de Passe - AKA
Kimberly Elise ----
Missy Elliott ---
Pam Grier ---
Iman ---
Janet Jackson ---
Judith Jameson - DST
Beverly Johnson ----
Alicia Keys - AKA
Chaka Khan ---
Gayle King ---
Suzan Lori-Parks - ?
Darnell Martin - ?
Audra McDonald - ?
Teri McMillan - ?
Melba Moore - ?
Brandy Norwood ---
Michele Obama - ?
Phylicia Rashad - AKA
Valerie Simpson ---
Anna Deveare Smith - ?
Susan Taylor ---
Alfre Woodard - SGR?


Sorors and SisterGreeks: Please feel free to correct the above. In fact, I WANT corrections so we all will know!

[dzdst796]

Debbie Allen - DST

[Marie]

Originally posted by mccoyred
I am surprised no one made that observation that most of the Legends are Greek women whereas very few of the Young'Uns are Greek and of those they are the 'older' ones. What does this say, if anything, about our organizations and their role in individual success and relevance in this generation?

I wonder if it speaks more to the relevance of college. It seems like #1 most of the youngin's are entertainers whereas with the Legends there was a mix of entertainers with political activists, authors, politicians, etc, and #2 more people are entering the entertainment business at a young age and forgoing college. Perhaps it isn't that these women aren't opting not to 'go greek', but rather, aren't in situations where joining a BGLO is an option. I wonder if we view the legends of tomorrow (say 50 years from now) if the list will have expanded to include women other than entertainers who's full impact/potential has not yet been realized. Perhaps it will include current politicians, activists, authors, playwrights, directors, business women, etc. who will have gone to college and therefore may have some greek affiliation.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by mccoyred
I am surprised no one made that observation that most of the Legends are Greek women whereas very few of the Young'Uns are Greek and of those they are the 'older' ones. What does this say, if anything, about our organizations and their role in individual success and relevance in this generation?

Legends

Diahann Carroll

Diahann Carroll is an AKA (per 2 of my AKA friends.)

Debbie Allen is not a Delta.

[divainred]

Originally posted by Marie
I wonder if it speaks more to the relevance of college. It seems like #1 most of the youngin's are entertainers whereas with the Legends there was a mix of entertainers with political activists, authors, politicians, etc, and #2 more people are entering the entertainment business at a young age and forgoing college. Perhaps it isn't that these women aren't opting not to 'go greek', but rather, aren't in situations where joining a BGLO is an option. I wonder if we view the legends of tomorrow (say 50 years from now) if the list will have expanded to include women other than entertainers who's full impact/potential has not yet been realized. Perhaps it will include current politicians, activists, authors, playwrights, directors, business women, etc. who will have gone to college and therefore may have some greek affiliation.

You read my mind. I agree with you 100%. Well said!!

[ladylike]

Originally posted by Marie
I wonder if it speaks more to the relevance of college.

Maybe this point is contingent upon what percent of the women who are members of their respective sisterhoods arrived there via collegiate or honorary means


Now about the show...
I knew as soon as BeBe handed the mike to Shirley Caesar that it would be ON! I bet the spirit in that place was AWESOME! The women were absolutely breathtaking (and I don't believe Cicely Tyson and Gladys Knight have aged a day!).

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Diahann Carroll is an AKA (per 2 of my AKA friends.)

When? What College? Which Chapter? Which Boule? Which Ceremony?



<---NEVER heard of that one.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
When? What College? Which Chapter? Which Boule? Which Ceremony?



<---NEVER heard of that one.

I saw it on IMDB.com last week when I heard an interview with her. I had never heard it either but I asked AKAs that I know and was told yes.

But if she's not

[AKA2D '91]

So, she (DC) said she was a member during the interview?

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
So, she (DC) said she was a member during the interview?

No she did not. The interview was about a cabaret style act that she has in production now in NYC.

After hearing her interview, I went to IMDB.com just to see all the movies and things she had done over her career. On IMDB, under her bio, it had that she was a member. I asked 2 AKAs and was told yes it is true.

[Obsession8]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
No she did not. The interview was about a cabaret style act that she has in production now in NYC.

After hearing her interview, I went to IMDB.com just to see all the movies and things she had done over her career. On IMDB, under her bio, it had that she was a member. I asked 2 AKAs and was told yes it is true.

She's also listed on our Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor..._Alpha_sisters

And, if my sometimes-faulty memory serves me correctly, I think she's listed on our Famous Members page in The Divine Nine (don't have my copy handy to double-check ).