Search Criteria

 






Key Word Search by:
All of these words









Organization Type


State or Jurisdiction


Congressional District





help

Division or Office
help

Grants to:


Date Range Start


Date Range End


  • Special Searches




    Product Type


    Media Coverage Type








 


Search Results

Grant number like: FZ-250455-16

Permalink for this Search

1
Page size:
 1 items in 1 pages
Award Number Grant ProgramAward RecipientProject TitleAward PeriodApproved Award Total
1
Page size:
 1 items in 1 pages
FZ-250455-16Research Programs: Public ScholarsLauren Rebecca SklaroffRed Hot Mama: The Life of Sophie Tucker9/1/2016 - 8/31/2017$50,400.00LaurenRebeccaSklaroff   University of South CarolinaColumbiaSC29208-0001USA2016Cultural HistoryPublic ScholarsResearch Programs504000504000

The first full-length biography of singer, comedian, and entertainer Sophie Tucker (1887-1966), telling the story of her life, her fifty-year career in American show business, and the challenges she posed to conventional views of race, religion, and femininity.

This project is the first in-depth biography of performer Sophie Tucker. While she was a gutsy, racy, song-belting stage performer, her influence extended far beyond the sequins, wigs, and innuendos. She would have been proud to be a reference point for modern comediennes like Bette Midler and Joan Rivers--or to have her signature song, "Some of These Days," appear in the pilot for the hit show, Boardwalk Empire--but her cultural influence goes much deeper. Known among celebrities and audiences as a “Yiddishe Mama,” Tucker worked to create unity among various faiths in her appearances and charity work. Dedicated to social justice, she advocated for African Americans in the entertainment industry and cultivated friendships with leading black activists and performers over her five decade career.