Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer and the first African-American ballet dancer to be promoted to principal dancer in the history of the American Ballet Theatre. At the age of 15, Copeland was already receiving professional offers. Glamour Magazine’s 2015 Woman of the Year and honorary doctorate awardee from Hartford University, Copeland continues to contribute to classical ballet and helps diversify the art form. During the years of her adolescence, Copeland was part of a custody battle between her custodial guardians (who were also her dance instructors at the time) and her biological mother. Eventually the custody case was dropped and Copeland would head home to study under a new dance teacher. Her advice to others, “The path to your success is not as fixed and inflexible as you think.” #WOMENOFBLACKHISTORY #BLACKHISTORYMONTH
Women of Black History: Misty Copeland
