Was born under questionable circumstances in 1927 on a cotton plantation where it seemed like her mother had been raped by a owner of the plantation and her ethnicity was debated somewhat as she appeared to be biracial between black and white, while her mother was black and Chrokee.
Her mother moved in with a man who refused to accept Eartha for her light-skintone, and was sent to her aunt’s where she was abused until her death when was able to move with another woman who was debated to be her biological mother.
Joined the Kathrine Dunham Company, the first modern dance company for afro-americans at the time.
Spoke four languages and was able to sing in eleven of them.
Was such a vocal anti-war activist in the 60′s when invited to the White House she made a blatant statement which caused her immense controversy in America.
“You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. No wonder the kids rebel and take pot. “ --THIS WOMAN TO THE FIRST LADY Y’ALL.
Was hugely supportive of the hippie movement, stating:
“The children of America are not rebelling for no reason. They are not hippies for no reason at all. We don't have what we have on Sunset Blvd. for no reason. They are rebelling against something. There are so many things burning the people of this country, particularly mothers. They feel they are going to raise sons – and I know what it's like, and you have children of your own, Mrs. Johnson – we raise children and send them to war.” -- Kitt at President Lyndon B’ Johnsons wife y’all, the first lady apparently burst into tears after such a statement.
The CIA blacklisted her and made a huge character-defamation plot to ruin her career in the US, to which she just moved her work to Europe and Asia.
Gained a HUGE following of gay men after the release of her song, “I Love Men” and responded by singing at HIV/AID’s benefits during the height of the AIDs epidemic.
She established the Kittsville Youth Foundation, which was aimed at helping impoverished youth.
Joined the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom.
Other than just HIV/AIDs, she was a huge supporter of LGBT rights including gay marriage, which she considered a civil right.
When she died of colon cancer, she was noted to go out screaming, which her family claimed was quite in character of her. Kitt was renown for always causing a ruckus, and going out with a bang seemed just like her.
And on just soft entertainment notes:
She originally made a song called “I want to be evil”
Later played Catwoman in the 1960′s series [after being known as a “Sex Kitten” in several musical depictions]
The Wicked Witch of the West in some Oz plays,
Yzma from the Emperors New Groove,
Kaa on a BBC radio adaption of The Jungle Book,
So yeah, I accidentally found her thanks to a youtube recommendation Jazz playlist, and like honestly I am so in love with this woman and inspired by her??? I hope y’all enjoyed learning a few things about her too.