East Harlem in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Odetta

Dec. 31, 1930 - Dec. 2, 2008

— 1270 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan —

Odetta Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 30, 2017

1. Odetta Marker

Inscription. Odetta, born Odetta Holmes, was an influential artist/activist of the civil rights generation. During her 60-year career, she influenced numerous performers, including Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Janis Joplin. Her signature song was "This Little Light of Mine." Odetta took part in the historic freedom marches of the 1960s in Selma, Alabama, and in Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. named her "Queen of American Folk Music." President W. J. Clinton honored her with the National Medal of Arts, saying, "Odetta reminds us all that songs have the power to change the heart and change the world."

Erected by Historic Landmarks Preservation Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the New York, New York City Historic Landmarks Preservation Center Cultural Medallions series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 31, 1930.

Location. 40° 47.74′ N, 73° 56.998′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in East Harlem. Marker is at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and East 108th Street, on the left when traveling south on Fifth Avenue. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 1270 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10029, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shoreline Walk (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); McGown's Pass (about 600 feet away); Fort Clinton: On Top of Manhattan (about 600 feet away); A View From the Road (about 600 feet away); Before There Was a Park (about 700 feet away); Maria Callas Birthplace (about 700 feet away); Mount Saint Vincent (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Also see . . .
1. Odetta, Voice of Civil Rights Movement, Dies at 77 (NYT, Dec. 3, 2008). Odetta, the singer whose resonant voice wove together the strongest songs of American folk music and the civil rights movement, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. She was 77.... (Submitted on July 6, 2017.)

2. HLPC, Cultural Medallion, Odetta, 2012 - (YouTube, 55 min.). Video of the marker dedication. (Submitted on July 6, 2017.)

3. The Last Word: Odetta (YouTube, NYT, 7 min.). (Submitted on July 6, 2017.)
4. Odetta - Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (YouTube, 2:21). From the album 'Odetta at Carnegie Hall' (1963) Odetta accompanying herself on guitar with Bill Lee on string bass; Choir from
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 30, 2017

2. Odetta Marker - Wide View
Church of the Master; Director, Dr. Stent. (Submitted on July 6, 2017.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 6, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.