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Monday, November 20, 2017

A VIBRANT & GLOWING PRESIDENT

LENA HORNE & CAROL LAWRENCE VISIT JFK IN OVAL OFFICE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-four years ago, November 20, 1963, entertainers Lena Horne* and Carol Lawrence** visited President John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office along with DNC Chairman John Bailey, DNC Vice Chairwoman Margaret B. Price, DNC Secretary Dorothy V. Bush, Richard Adler and Sidney Solomon.

That evening, the President hosted a reception upstairs in the White House for Supreme Court justices and their wives.   The young wife of Justice William O. Douglas found JFK to be "vibrant and glowing."

President and Mrs. Kennedy also hosted a Judicial Reception in the main rooms of the mansion for 700 guests.  During the event, the Marine Band played music from My Fair Lady and Camelot.

The following day the First Couple would depart for Texas.

*Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (1917-2010) was born in Brooklyn, NY.  She became a jazz and popular music singer, dancer and actress.  LMCH was also involved in the civil rights movement.  She spoke & performed at the March on Washington.

**Carol Lawrence was born in Melrose Park, IL.  She attended Northwestern University before entering a career in musical theater and television.

SOURCES

JFK Presidential Library and Museum, www.jfklibrary.org/

"JFK's Last Hundred Days", by Thurston Clarke, The Penguin Press, New York, 2013. 



Group Visiting the Oval Office
including Lena  Horne & Carol Lawrence
November 20, 1963
Photo by Abbie Rowe
JFK Library Image