Celebrating the Dedication of Marian Anderson Hall in Philadelphia

I was so honored to join with other DAR members on June 8 in Philadelphia, PA, for a historic celebration as The Philadelphia Orchestra rededicated its home at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in honor of the legendary contralto and civil rights icon Marian Anderson.

We were touched to receive a special invitation letter from the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, Matias Tarnopolsky, in which he wrote: “The renaming will take place 85 years after Marian Anderson sang at the Lincoln Memorial after being denied access to Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution because of her race. Recognizing this injustice, the DAR has since worked to pay tribute to Ms. Anderson’s legacy, establishing a Marian Anderson Legacy Fund and Legacy Scholarship, and focusing on efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse organization. It is with these actions in mind that I invite you to join us on June 8, 2024, at 2:00 PM, for the official unveiling ceremony of Marian Anderson Hall.”

“As a Philadelphian, I'm thrilled with Today's DAR.  As a DAR member, I am increasingly committed to NSDAR and its mission and I'm forever thankful for the opportunity. The rest of the world needs to fully understand who we are as an organization. It takes pivotal moments like these to illustrate our collective interest in all Americans. If we are forever connected to Marian Anderson, then let it be for the right reasons! Throughout the entire event I enjoyed sharing news of the DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship and I was so moved hearing the applause by the audience attending the first-ever concert in Marian Anderson Hall when they announced DAR's donation as a sponsor of the celebration.” 

Taryn Kennedy
Independence Hall Chapter, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Membership Chair
National Vice Chair, DAR Marian Anderson Legacy Scholarship

“Most people don’t know that my family history crossed paths with Marian Anderson’s when my mother, then a student at Howard University, actually attended the concert in 1939 at the Lincoln Memorial – and then joined DAR in 1983! So, I was truly honored when our President General, Pamela Rouse Wright, invited me to join her and a wonderful group of Daughters in Philadelphia to celebrate the historic rededication of their orchestra hall in honor of Marian Anderson's legacy as a world-renowned artist and civil rights pioneer. The day was a wonderful blend of history, music and sisterhood that moved me to tears at times and filled me with pride as a DAR member. My mother and Ms. Anderson could never have imagined the diversity in today’s DAR.”

Karen Batchelor
Organizing Officer, The Detroit Chapter, Michigan
Specialty Research Committee, African American Research

“This event meant so much to me because it was yet another reason to share with others how DAR and Marian Anderson’s paths have continued to align since our error in 1939. Yannick Nezet-Seguin, 14 year artistic and musical director of the Philadelphia Symphony, informed the audience that the Marian Anderson Hall is one of only a few concert halls in the world named for an artist. In so doing, all who attend the hall will forever be reminded of Ms. Anderson’s talent and tenacity. This rededication, coordinated with local and state officials, highlighted Ms. Anderson’s significant talent and global appeal, lent to the auspiciousness of the occasion, and revealed the generosity of the donors, Leslie Miller and Richard Worley. I was so proud of our President General, Pamela Rouse Wright, for her leadership in supporting this once in a lifetime occasion and was honored to be invited to this event.”

Yolanda K. H. Bogan
Organizing Regent, Abiaka Chapter, Florida
Florida State Literacy Promotion Chair