Actress, Activist, Legend

It feels like yesterday when my sister came home from school fascinated by The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. In this 1970’s film, Cicely Tyson played a former slave who recounts her journey from captivity through The Civil Rights Movement in The United States.

Years later, I would use Miss Pittman’s face as the inspiration for a project in my Stage Make-Up class in college. In the course, we learned how to apply highlights and shadows that appeared outrageous up close while believable on stage. As I searched for older Black women to sketch the schematics for my makeup application, I printed photos of Miss Tyson not realizing they were from the film.

Cicely Tyson as Miss Jane Pittman (1974).

My “Old Age” stage makeup look inspired by Miss Jane Pittman (2005).

In fact, I can’t say I saw Ms. Tyson’s complete catalogue of work, but I always sensed her significance and impact.

Last week, she transitioned out of this world in the most symbolic way. With over seven decades in the arts, she released her first book, Just As I Am, only two days before her passing. Though the interviews leading up to the release of her memoir showed a vibrant elder, we did not expect for her to leave so soon.

Ms. Tyson used her life and work in service to a greater purpose. Because of her, a little Black girl, like my sister, would be passionate about civil rights. Because of Cicely Tyson, this aspiring Black actress has another dynamic woman to model after. 

Even in her final days, it was as if she was intentional about her exit. Like a true legend.