Suzette Harbin(1911-1994)

Suzette Harbin won a beauty contest which gained the way for a movie career. Suzette started out appearing in many Hollywood films that had African American musical numbers, she either sang, danced, or just looked pretty. She also appeared in the iconic films, Cabin in the Sky (1943), (where she had a speaking part, close-ups, and danced), and she also danced in Stormy Weather (1943). She often appeared in Lena Horne's musical numbers. She also danced and sang in Duke Ellington's Jump for Joy musical. Suzette may be more recognizable for her roles in The Foxes of Harrow (1947), Look-Out Sister (1947), and Bomba and the Jungle Girl (1952). She became a star through the movie "The Foxes of Harrow," her wonderful performance in the controversial film made her a movie star. She played the role of a beautiful slave girl who would rather die than bring her child up in slavery. She was praised for being the first to play such a role and not be stereotypical. Her versatility, magnetic presence, and trademark million dollar smile always won over audiences and gained her commendable roles on stage and screen.

Suzette's many performances in films and stage elevated her to star status. She appeared on the covers of Jet magazine and in many black newspapers of the day. To add to her list of achievements, Suzette entertained the GIs in Korea in the early 1950s. She was considered a rivalry for Marilyn Monroe who also performed for the GIs, though Monroe received more publicity. It was Suzette who the GIs gave a bigger applause to and came out in greater numbers.