Kitt, Eartha Mae
1927-2008 · Contribution: 1950-2008
Singer & Actress
Singer and actress whose career was deliberately destroyed by the CIA and blacklisted in the U.S. after she publicly denounced the Vietnam War at a 1968 White House luncheon

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1927
- Active since
- 1950
- Category
- Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech
- Best known for
- "Santa Baby"Catwoman on "Batman"Blacklisted after anti-war stand
Impact on the world
Kitt paid a steep professional price for speaking against the Vietnam War, a stark example of the cost of Black dissent. Her talent and defiance made her an enduring icon.
Sources
- Britannica
4 more sources and references are available to members.
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