Raven Wilkinson was one of the first African-American women to dance for a major classical ballet company, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. She broke the color barrier in 1955, at age 20, when she signed a contract to dance full-time with the prestigious troupe. She was promoted to soloist during her second season with the company, and remained with them for six years. Wilkinson later became a mentor to Misty Copeland, the first African-American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Wilkinson died on December 17, 2018, at her home in Manhattan. She was 83 years old. But what was the cause of her death, and what legacy did she leave behind?
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A Life of Passion and Perseverance
Wilkinson was born on February 2, 1935, in Harlem, New York, to a middle-class family. Her father was a doctor and her mother had studied ballet in Chicago. Wilkinson became fascinated by ballet after seeing the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo perform Coppelia when she was five years old. Her mother took her to the School of American Ballet for lessons, but they said they could not accept her until she was nine. She then trained in the Dalcroze method, which focused on music and rhythm, until her uncle gave her the gift of ballet lessons at the Swoboda School, later known as the Ballet Russe School, for her ninth birthday. There, she learned from renowned dancers from Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre, such as Maria and Vecheslav Swoboda.
Wilkinson auditioned for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo three times, facing rejection twice. The company was hesitant to hire a person of color due to the racial climate in the South, where they regularly toured. Wilkinson was light-skinned, and she often lightened her skin with makeup for performances. She was also asked not to reveal her race publicly. However, on her third attempt, in 1955, she was accepted on a six-week trial basis. She proved herself to be a talented and graceful dancer, and earned a full-time contract with the company.
A Career of Challenges and Triumphs
Wilkinson performed with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo across the United States, dancing the waltz solo in Les Sylphides, and other roles in Ballet Imperial, Le Beau Danube, Capriccio Espagnol, Gaîté Parisienne, Giselle, Graduation Ball, Harlequinade, Swan Lake, and Variations Classiques. She advanced to the position of soloist in her second season with the company, and received praise from critics and audiences alike. However, she also faced intense racial discrimination and hostility, especially in the segregated South. She was denied hotel access and restaurant service, she endured racial slurs and threats from the Ku Klux Klan, and she was once arrested by the police for being in a white neighborhood. Eventually, her race became common knowledge, and she received hate mail and death threats. She left the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1961, after six years of dancing with them.
Wilkinson then struggled to find another ballet company in the United States that would hire her, due to racism and prejudice. She moved to Europe, where she joined the Dutch National Ballet in 1966, as a soloist. She danced with them until 1973, performing in classical and contemporary ballets. She then returned to the United States, and worked as an extra dancer with the New York City Opera from 1974 to 1985. She retired from ballet in 1985, and taught ballet at the Harlem School of Arts.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Mentorship
Wilkinson became an important mentor and role model for many young dancers, especially African-American women who faced similar barriers and challenges in the ballet world. She was featured in the documentary A Ballerina’s Tale, which chronicled the life and career of Misty Copeland, the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Wilkinson and Copeland developed a close friendship, and Wilkinson supported and encouraged Copeland throughout her journey. Copeland credited Wilkinson as one of her inspirations, and said that she experienced a lot more severe, life-threatening racism than other minorities in the ballet world. Wilkinson also received several awards and honors for her contributions to ballet and civil rights, such as the Dance Magazine Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, and the National Medal of Arts.
Wilkinson died on December 17, 2018, at her home in Manhattan. Her brother, Frost Bernie Wilkinson Jr., confirmed her death but did not specify a cause. He said that she had been in declining health for some time, and that she had suffered from diabetes and heart problems. Wilkinson’s death was mourned by the dance community and the public, who celebrated her as a pioneer, a trailblazer, and a legend. She was remembered for her passion, perseverance, grace, and courage, and for opening the doors for generations of dancers to follow.
