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      Moms Mabley

   Often, success is born out of tragedy. This rings true for one of America's most successful female stand-up comedians. Born in Brevard, NC, on March 19, 1894, Jackie Aiken survived rape, her father's death on duty as a volunteer fireman, and her mother's death being struck by a mail truck. She'd leave the children (resulting from her two rapings) in her grandmother's care and move to Cleveland, OH. In Cleveland she'd start singing and dancing on stage. Her Brother's objection to her performing on stage would move her to take on the the surname of her onetime boyfriend, Jack Mabley.

'Moms,' as she was referred to by younger performers, would then tour the Chitlin Circuit. While on tour the racism she faced would carve her style of comedy. She toured with husband-and-wife team Butterbeans and Susie, throughout 1921, eventually making her debut at Harlem's 'Cotton Club.' She'd also become a fixture in NYC's growing black theater, collaberating with Zore Neale Hurston on Broadway in, 'Fast and Furious: A Coloured Revue in 37 Scenes.'  From '39 through the 1960's, Moms Mabley was a regular at the 'Apollo Theater,' appearing more than any other performer ever. She made her film debut in 1947's 'Killer Diller.' Still, Moms Mabley wasn't near the zenith of her career until her she began recording for the Chess label in 1960. Her debut release, 'On Stage (Funkiest woman in the world)' went gold. Seven years later, she made her television debut on, 'A time for laughter,' and went on to be a regular guest on variety shows by Harry Belafonte, Merv Griffin, and Mike Douglas.

Jackie "Moms" Mabley died May 23, 1975.