Influence to Social Change

• Martha Graham's Dance Company was the first racially integrated company.

• Refused to perform in white's only theaters:
•  “…my company and I toured the South prior to the civil rights movement, and performed at Spelman College. I told the young women of the all-black college that I would see them at the evening performance. They said, “Oh, no, we can’t go to the theatre. It is for whites only.” I went directly to the impresario…I said, “I understand you have sold out for the night.” “Yes,” he replied, “for the first time.” I said, “That is simply wonderful. I want twenty seats for tonight’s performance.” He asked why and I said, “For the students at Spelman College. Otherwise there will be no performance.” “Impossible,” he cried. And with that I told my crew and my dancers to pack up. There would be no show that night. The impresario panicked and changed his mind. Within a few minutes I had twenty seats for the women of Spelman College.” –Blood Memory

• Woman played main roles in her pieces. Not only were they central characters but they were also strong headed. She was often associated with the women's liberation movement because of her feminist personality. She blamed her feminist outlook on her father because she was never brought up in a way where she felt inferior to me