born Oct. 12, 1916, Charleston, S.C., U.S.
died Aug. 14, 1994, New York, N.Y.
U.S. playwright, novelist, and actress.
She grew up in Harlem and studied drama with the American Negro Theatre, where she wrote, directed, and starred in her first play, Florence (produced 1949). Her other plays, some featuring music, include Trouble in Mind (produced 1955), String (1969), The African Garden (1971), and Gullah (1984). She was also a successful writer of children's books, including A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich (1973).