Agnes George de Mille

In 1905, Agnes George de Mille was born into a show-business family. Her father was a playwright, but it was her Hollywood director uncle who was immortalized by the phrase, “I’m ready for my close-up ...” Following their footsteps into the business, de Mille became a dancer. A successful ballerina, it was as a choreographer that de Mille scored her greatest triumphs.
During her career, she choreographed for the American Ballet Theater and wrote many ballets. Several of her musical comedies and Hollywood productions are still well known today, such as “Oklahoma!,” “Carousel” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Through her work, de Mille changed the face of modern American dance by incorporating classical ballet techniques with American dance forms, and revolutionized musical theater by using choreography to both advance the plot and define characters.
During the course of her life, de Mille also lectured and wrote extensively, publishing 12 books. Following a crippling stroke in 1979, she wrote “Reprieve,” chronicling her recovery. She received numerous honorary degrees, the New York Critics Award, the Antoinette Perry Award, the Dancing Masters Award of Merit, the Capezio Award and the Handel Medallion for Achievement in the Arts. She was named Woman of the Year by the American Newspaper Women’s Guild in 1946 and was named to the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1973.
De Mille died in New York City in 1993.
BLACKWELL RECIPIENTS
May 16, 2021
Librarian of Congress Carla HaydenFebruary 3, 2021
Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgJanuary 22, 2015
Dr. Janet L. YellenNovember 10, 2013
The Most Reverend Doctor Katharine Jefferts SchoriOctober 27, 2011
Eunice Kennedy Shriver-
April 23, 2009
Rabbi Sally J. Priesand -
April 24, 2008
Dr. Wangari Maathai Sc.D.'94, P '94, P '96 -
April 27, 2007
Dr. Priscilla A. Schaffer '64, Sc.D. '94 -
September 7, 2004
Bishop Barbara Clementine Harris September 9, 2003
Loretta C. FordSeptember 4, 2001
Madeleine K. AlbrightMay 15, 1998
Billie Jean KingFebruary 10, 1996
Wilma MankillerSeptember 23, 1993
Barbara JordanSeptember 27, 1991
Margaret Chase SmithFebruary 22, 1991
Dr. Antonia C. NovelloFebruary 19, 1988
Barbara Aronstein BlackOctober 9, 1985
Cicely SaundersMarch 8, 1985
Sandra Day O’ConnorFebruary 11, 1984
Hannah Holborn GrayFebruary 26, 1982
Agnes George de MilleFebruary 15, 1980
Mary Douglas LeakeySeptember 30, 1977
Mary S. CalderoneOctober 3, 1975
Antonia BricoJanurary 23, 1974
Frances Keller HardingMay 28, 1973
Judith Graham PoolJune 8, 1972
Marian AndersonApril 10, 1972
Mary LaskerJune 13, 1971
Mina ReesJune 14, 1970
Helen Brooke TaussigJune 15, 1969
Georgiana SibleyJune 16, 1968
Constance Baker MotleySeptember 8, 1967
Catharine MacfarlaneJuly 10, 1966
Fe del MundoJune 13, 1965
Annette LeMeitour-KaplunJune 14, 1964
Margaret MeadJune 9, 1963
Marty MannJune 10, 1962
Frances PerkinsJune 18,1961
Leona BaumgartnerJune 12, 1960
Miki SawadaJune 14, 1959
Elisabeth Luce MooreSeptember 27, 1958
Gwendolyn Grant Mellon