Ella is known as the “First Lady of Song” and “Lady Ella,” was an American jazz and song vocalist. Fitzgerald was a civil rights activist; using her talent to break racial barriers across the nation. She was awarded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Equal Justice Award and the American Black Achievement Award.

 

In 1993, Fitzgerald established the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation focusing on charitable grants for four major categories: academic opportunities for children, music education, basic care needs for the less fortunate, medical research revolving around diabetes, heart disease, and vision impaired. Her goals were to give back and provide opportunities for those “at risk” and less fortunate.

 

In addition, she supported several nonprofit organizations. Fitzgerald won thirteen Grammy Awards, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1967.

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