Throwback Thursday: Lena Horne circa 1954

I think I'm just simply inspired by vintage beauty and class, sometime more so than the modern notions we are immersed with today. This photo in particular is one of my inspirations. It captures the incomparable Lena Horne for an ad in 1954.

Born June 30th, 1917, in New York, Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was poised to take the U.S. by storm, even in the midst of heavy segregation and deeply ingrained racism. From her start in the chorus of the Cotton Club to anti lynching marches, from recording studios singing classics such as Stormy Weather to substantial roles in films such as The Wiz, from being one of the youngest members of the early NAACP to being one of the proudest members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated (OO-OOP!) Lena made her mark on the nations music, movie, and movements until her death in 2010.

May we all ascribe to Lena's grace, poise, kindness and tireless talent.

Check out this gorgeous pic and more at Vintage Black Glamour