Raven Wilkinson

b. 1935

New York, New York

Ballerina

Raven Wilkinson is the first Black woman to secure a full-time contract to dance with a major ballet company (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo of New York City). It took her three tries, but by 1955, Wilkinson received the contract at the age of 20. She danced with Ballet Russe for six years and was promoted to soloist in only her second.

Despite the rewarding experience, Wilkinson and Ballet Russe performed in incredibly segregated cities, causing her to hide her race by wearing white makeup to cover.

In 1961 she left Ballet Russe and joined the Dutch National Ballet spending her later years in Amsterdam.

The American Ballet Theatre's first Black female Principal Dancer, Misty Copeland, credits Wilkinson as a notable inspiration and mentor.