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Grew Up Poor, But Not Lacking

Marian Andersonwas born February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, the oldest of three daughters of Annie and John Anderson, a coal and ice salesman.

Annie Anderson began taking in laundry to support her children after their father died when Marian was still young.

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The family lived with Anderson's grandmother in South Philadelphia and she grew up poor, "though never lacking in love and support. My mother always encouraged me to do anything I wanted," she was quoted as saying in Billboard. She began singing as a toddler and joined the Union Baptist Church junior choir at age six.

Though first turned away by a Philadelphia music school because of her color, she studied formally at age 15 with Mary S. Patterson, lessons she scrubbed floors to pay for. Many in her community acknowledged Anderson's exceptional talent, and contributed to her education--the Union Baptist choir raised money to further her training and, later, the