John Waters' original screenplay for Hairspray (1988) mentions her as an influence on beatniks.
A songwriter, guitarist and actress as well as legendary black folksinger, she trained in opera singing as a teenager and made her professional debut with the Hollywood Turnabout Puppet Theatre in 1944 (age 13), where she stayed for four years.
Dubbed "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement", she performed a memorable version of "O Freedom" during the August 1963 march on Washington led by Martin Luther King.
Her many solo albums inspired such artists as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, Harry Belafonte and Mavis Staples.
Internationally known folk singer.
She was awarded the American National Medal of the Arts in 1999 by the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington D.C.
Toured nationally with the musical "Finian's Rainbow" in 1949 before focusing on folksinging in the 1950s. She eventually became a prime act for such clubs as the Blue Angel, hungry i and Tin Angel in such cities as New York and San Francisco.
Was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts' National Medal of Arts by President Clinton in 1999. In addition, she was honored at the Kennedy Center with the "Visionary Award" along with a tribute performance by singer Tracy Chapman. In 2005, the Library of Congress honored her with its "Living Legend Award". In December, 2006, the Winnipeg Folk Festival honored her with their "Lifetime Achievement Award," and in February, 2007, The International Folk Alliance selected her as "Traditional Folk Artist of the Year.".
Was planning to perform at President Obama's historic inauguration at the time of her death.