Martha Jean-Claude (21 March 1919 – 14 November 2001) was a Haitian writer,

civil rights activist Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

, entertainer, and composer. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and was well known internationally during her life and could perform in many languages. Her singing career began during the late 1930's and early 1940's. She incorporated Haitian folklore and Voodou

lyrics Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a " libretto" and their writer, ...

into her performances. She spoke out against Haitian authorities who were exploiting the Haitian people. She was arrested in 1952 during the administration of President Paul Eugene Magloire after publishing her play "Anriette". Officials considered it to be directed toward and against the government at that time. When she was arrested she was pregnant but was released two days before giving birth. Jean-Claude was exiled to

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

on 20 December 1952. She was married to Victor Mirabal, a Cuban journalist. Jean-Claude was well-known to the

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communities who admired her talent and activism. She was featured in radio and television broadcasts in Cuba. She appeared in the movie ''

Yambaó ''Yambaó'' (also known as ''Cry of the Bewitched'') is a 1957 Mexican-Cuban drama film directed by Alfredo B. Crevenna and starring Ninón Sevilla. In other media On June 27, 2014, ''Yambaó'' was released as a VOD title by RiffTrax. Plot The ...

'' (1957) that starred the Cuban-Mexican actress

Ninón Sevilla Emelia Pérez Castellanos (10 November 19211 January 2015), known professionally as Ninón Sevilla, was a Cuban-Mexican actress and dancer. Early life Sevilla was born and raised in Centro Habana, a popular section of Havana. As a youth, she th ...

. Cuba has claimed her as a great artist of that country. She became a member of The Cuban Union of Writers and Artists. She performed at many international venues that included: Salle Claude Campagne,

Casa de las Américas Casa de las Américas is an organization that was founded by the Cuban Government in April 1959, four months after the Cuban Revolution The Cuban Revolution ( es, Revolución Cubana) was carried out after the 1952 Cuban coup d'état which ...

in Cuba, Palais des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Madison Square Garden in New York City, Maison de L'

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

in Paris, United Nation Headquarters in New York City, and for the Faculty of Music at Montreal University. She traveled and visited almost all the nations of Central and South America and

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. She also spoke in

Panama Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Co ...

against those who violated

basic human rights Human rights are moral principles or normsJames Nickel, with assistance from Thomas Pogge, M.B.E. Smith, and Leif Wenar, 13 December 2013, Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyHuman Rights Retrieved 14 August 2014 for certain standards of hu ...

in that country. She wrote and performed political songs. Jean-Claude also appeared in the Cuban film ''Simparele'' (1974)Simparele at IMDB
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Humberto Solás Humberto Solás (4 December 1941 – 18 September 2008) was a Cuban film director, credited with directing the film ''Lucía'' (1968), which explored the lives of Cuban women during different periods in Cuban history. His cinematic style bor ...

. Jean-Claude had four children with Mirabal: Linda (an opera singer), Sandra (a musician), Magdalena (a physician living in Cuba), and Richard. Her son Richard Mirabal has served as director of the Martha Jean-Claude Foundation, which promotes cultural ties between Haiti and Cuba. Her son Richard produced the film ''Fanm De Zil'' oman of Two Islands(2000) about her life and work. Jean-Claude returned to Haiti in 1986. She died in

Havana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

, Cuba on 14 November 2001, aged 82, at her home there. Obituary from '' Haïti Progrès'', 21 November 2001. She has been described as "...one of the most precious jewels Haiti has ever had."

References

1919 births 2001 deaths Haitian expatriates in Cuba Haitian writers Haitian women writers {{Haiti-writer-stub

See also

References