1930 - 1965
Lorraine Hansberry was an American playwright and writer, best known for her groundbreaking play "A Raisin in the Sun," which premiered in 1959 and was the first Broadway production written by an African American woman. Born on May 19, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, she became an influential figure in American theater, addressing issues of race, identity, and social justice. Hansberry's work has had a lasting impact on American culture and continues to inspire generations of artists and activists.