Mills, Florence (1895–1927)

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Mills, Florence (1895–1927)

African-American actress, singer and dancer. Born Florence Winfree, Jan 25, 1895 (some sources cite 1896), in Washington, DC; died of appendicitis in New York, NY, Nov 1, 1927; dau. of John Winfree and Nellie (Simons) Winfree; m. Ulysses Thompson (dancer and comedian).

Beloved entertainer whose performances in musical theater productions like Shuffle Along and Blackbirds made her an international star and a popular figure of the Harlem Renaissance; by age 5, was winning dance contests; made 1st stage appearance at 8 in a Washington, DC, production of Sons of Ham; toured with Bonita Stage Co. as a "pickaninny" with the singing and dancing chorus; performed in the Mills Trio with sisters Olivia and Maude; later formed the Panama Trio with Ada Smith and Cora Green; toured with Tennessee Ten Co. in a trio with husband and Fredi Johnson; received important professional break with Shuffle Along (1921); performed in numerous other Broadway and Harlem productions, including Dixie to Broadway (1924) and Blackbirds (1926), which brought her international recognition.

See also Women in World History.

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