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THE WHITE HOUSE
wASHINGTON
An Open Letter From First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton:
Screening Mammograms for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Can Save Lives
I've been talking with older women all over the country and, unfortunately, many
don't realize that breast cancer is a disease that more frequently affects older women.
Many older women are unaware of how important it is for them to get regular
mammograms. Others feel that they're just "too old" to need screening. Others tell me
that they didn't know Medicare would pay for their mammogram, or their physician never
told them that they should get a screening. Still others are fearful of the procedure itself.
In May of this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala joined me
in launching a national breast cancer awareness campaign urging older women to get
Medicare-covered mammograms for early detection of breast cancer. You may have
received a "Mama-gram" on Mother's Day with a card or a bouquet of flowers from a
loved one, a friend or a family member reminding you that a mammogram can save your
life.
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately one in every eight
American women will be afflicted with breast cancer during her lifetime. The risk of breast
cancer increases with age. In 1994, approximately half of all new cases of breast cancer
were among women 65 and over. Yet only 37 percent of the Medicare-age women have
mammograms every two years. The Department of Health and Human Services has set a
goal to reach 60 percent by the year 2000.
Some 30 percent of the 46,000 breast cancer deaths last year could have been
prevented by early detection and treatment of the disease. I lost my mother-in-law,
Virginia Kelly, to breast cancer. That's one of the reasons I'm writing now to appeal to
women 65 and older to get a mammogram. A mammogram can find breast cancer that is
too small for you or your doctor or nurse to identify during regular physical breast exams.
If you find breast cancer early, it is easier to treat. Cancer can show up at any time --
that's why regular screenings are important. Medicare covers mammogram screenings
every two years.
I applaud private initiatives, such as the American Association of Retired Persons'
efforts to reach women over 50 and AARP's reminder that in addition to mammograms,
women should have clinical exams by a health care professional and do breast self-exams.
Remember, a mammogram is a picture that can save your life!
Call these toll free numbers for more information:
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
BREAST CANCER/MAMMOGRAMS
1-800-638-6833
MEDICARE COVERAGE
An Open Letter From First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton:
Screening Mammograms for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Can Save Lives
I've been talking with older women all over the country and, unfortunately, many
don't realize that breast cancer is a disease that more frequently affects older women.
Many older women are unaware of how important it is for them to get regular
mammograms. Others feel that they're just "too old" to need screening. Others tell me
that they didn't know Medicare would pay for their mammogram, or their physician never
told them that they should get a screening. Still others are fearful of the procedure itself.
In May of this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala joined me
in launching a national breast cancer awareness campaign urging older women to get
Medicare-covered mammograms for early detection of breast cancer. You may have
received a "Mama-gram" on Mother's Day with a card or a bouquet of flowers from a
loved one, a friend or a family member reminding you that a mammogram can save your
life.
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately one in every eight
American women will be afflicted with breast cancer during her lifetime. The risk of breast
cancer increases with age. In 1994, approximately half of all new cases of breast cancer
were among women 65 and over. Yet only 37 percent of the Medicare-age women have
mammograms every two years. The Department of Health and Human Services has set a
goal to reach 60 percent by the year 2000.
Some 30 percent of the 46,000 breast cancer deaths last year could have been
prevented by early detection and treatment of the disease. I lost my mother-in-law,
Virginia Kelly, to breast cancer. That's one of the reasons I'm writing now -- to appeal to
women 65 and older to get a mammogram. A mammogram can find breast cancer that is
too small for you or your doctor or nurse to identify during regular physical breast exams.
If you find breast cancer early, it is easier to treat. Cancer can show up at any time --
that's why regular screenings are important. Medicare covers mammogram screenings
every two years.
I applaud AARP's efforts to reach women over 50 and AARP's reminder that in
addition to mammograms, women should have clinical exams by a health care professional
and do breast self-exams.
Remember, a mammogram is a picture that can save your life!
Call these toll free numbers for more information:
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
BREAST CANCER/MAMMOGRAMS
1-800-638-6833
MEDICARE COVERAGE
On Open Letter From the First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton:
Screening Mammograms for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Can Save Lives
I've been talking with older women all over the country and,
unfortunately, many don't realize that breast cancer is a disease
that more frequently affects older women. Many older women are
unaware of how important it is for them to get regular
mammograms. Some feel that they're just "too old" to need
screening. Others tell me that they didn't know Medicare would
pay for their mammogram, or their physician never told them that
they should get a screening. Still others are fearful of the
procedure itself.
In May of this year, Health and Human Services Secretary
Donna Shalala joined me in launching a national breast cancer
awareness campaign urging older women to get Medicare-covered
mammograms for early detection of breast cancer. You may have
received a "Mama-gram" on Mother's Day with a card or a bouquet
of flowers from a loved one, a friend or a family member
reminding you that a mammogram can save your life.
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately
one in every eight American woman will be afflicted with breast
cancer during her lifetime. The risk of breast cancer increases
with age. In 1994, approximately half of all new cases of breast
cancer were among women 65 and over. Yet only 37 percent of
Medicare-aged women have mammograms every two years. The
Department of Health and Human Services has set a goal to reach
60 percent by the year 2000.
Some 30 percent of the 46,000 breast cancer deaths last year
could have been prevented by early detection and treatment of the
disease. I lost my mother-in-law, Virginia Kelly, to breast
cancer. That's one of the reasons I'm writing now, to appeal to
women 65 and older to get a mammogram. A mammogram can find
breast cancer that is too small for you or your doctor or nurse
to identify during regular physical breast exams. If you find
breast cancer early, it is easier to treat. Cancer can show up
at any time -- that's why regular screenings are important.
Medicare covers mammogram screenings every two years. Remember,
it's a picture that can save your life!
Call these toll free numbers for more information:
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
BREAST CANCER/MAMMOGRAMS
1-800-638-6833
MEDICARE COVERAGE
AUG-22-1995 10:29 FROM ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE
Pi
HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION
ADDRESSEE:
FROM: Dennis Sictert
Karen Finney
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
200 INDEPENDENCE AVE., S.W.
ROOM 314G
WASHINGTON, DC 20201
PHONE: 202-690--5727
PHONE:
FAX : 202-690-6262
TOTAL PAGES:
ADDRESSEE'S FAX MACHINE NUMBER:
DATE:
2
456 7805
8/22/95
REMARKS:
Draft open letter
Richi
Date 9/11-callege
AUG-22-1995 10:29 FROM ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE
TO
94567805 P.02
1 they
(?)
more
AN OPEN LETTER FROM FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON:
Screening Mammograms for Early Detection of Breast Cancer
Can Save Lives
older
I've been talking with older women all over the country and,
unfortunately, many don't realize that breast cancer is a disease
which affects them. Many in this age group are unaware of how
important it is for them to get regular mammograms. Some older
women feel that they're just "too old" to need screening. Others
tell me that they didn't know Medicare would pay for their
mammogram, or their physician never told them that they should get
asseeming
one, Still others are fearful of the procedure itself.
Launchuse
In May this year, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala
joined me to launch a national breast cancer awareness campaign
urging older women to obtain Medicare-covered mammograms for early
detection of breast cancer. You may have been one of the fortunate
women who received a "Mama-gram" on Mother's Day with a card or a
bouquet of flowers from a loved one, a friend, or a family member.
If you did, then you know that a mámmogram can save your life.
you
12
According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately one of
?
every eight American women will be afflicted with breast cancer
during her lifetime. The risk of breast cancer increases with age.
In 1994, approximately half of all new cases of breast cancer were
among women 65 and over. Yet, only 37 percent of Medicare-aged
women have mammograms every two years. The Department of Health
and Human Services has set a goal to reach 60 percent by the year
2000.
Some 30 percent of the 46,000 breast cancer deaths last year could
have been prevented by early detection and treatment of the
disease. I lost my mother-in-law, Virginia Kelly, to breast
cancer. That's one of the reasons I'm writing now, to appeal to
women 65 and older to get a marmogram. A mammogram can find breast
cancer that is too small for you or your doctor or nurse to
identify during regular physical breast exams. If you find breast
cancer early, it is easier to treat. Cancer can show up at any
time -- that's why regular screenings is important. Medicare covers
a screening mammogram every two years. Remember, it's a picture
that can save your life!
Call these toll free numbers for more information:
6237
1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-8237)
breast cancer/mammograms
1-800-638-6833
Medicare coverage
TOTOL
AARP
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
AARP
Leah Glasheen
Senior Editor
AARP/Bulletin/Publications
Division
(202) 434-3343
(202) 434-6451 Fax
American Association of Retired Persons
601 E Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20049
AARP
Leah Glasheen
Senior Editor
AARP/Bulletin/Publications
Division
(202) 434-3343
(202) 434-6451 Fax
American Association of Retired Persons
601 E Street. N.W. Washington. DC 20049
AARP
BULLETIN
June 1995
Vol. 36, No. 6
Washington, D.C.
A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
GETTING THE WORD OUT
Hillary Clinton launches
mammogram campaign
T
00 few older women are getting
grandmother, a mother, a daughter, a
mammograms-and too few know
sister, a friend, or, as in my case, a
that Medicare helps pay the cost of
mother-in-law."
these safe X-rays.
Clinton, who recently kicked off a na-
That was First Lady Hillary Rodham
tional campaign to urge greater use of
Clinton's message to the White House
mammograms by older women, was
Conference on Aging early in May.
joined on stage by Fran Oliver, a vol-
"This is an issue that touches every
unteer with AARP's health advocacy
American," Clinton told the packed au-
services; medical experts; and repre-
dience: "We all know someone who
sentatives of various consumer and ag-
has been affected by breast cancer-a
ing organizations.
TRACEY ATTLEE
Clinton talked about common barri-
ers for older women seeking mammo-
grams. Oliver and other panelists
spoke about outreach efforts that have
worked in their communities.
Clinton's interest in the issue, says
AARP Breast Care Campaign director
Lisa Rubenstein, is good news for
groups like AARP, which have worked
to increase awareness of the mam-
mography benefit.
Clinton plans a year-long campaign
to focus attention on the issue. Among
the information older women and their
families need to know, says Clinton
and other women's health advocates:
The risk of breast cancer rises with
age-and early detection saves lives.
Half of all American women 50 and
older haven't had a mammogram in
the last year or two.
Medicare helps pay for mammog-
raphy screening every two years for
women age 65 and older. The required
intervals between screenings vary for
disabled enrollees younger than 65.
"I hope every American will encourage the
For the location of the FDA-certified
women in their lives to get regular mammo-
mammography screening center near
grams," urges Hillary Rodham Clinton.
you, call (800) 4-CANCER.
AARP
BULLETIN
May 1995
Vol. 36, No. 5
Washington, D.C.
A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
AARP launches drive
against breast cancer
BY ROBERTA YARED
Did you know:
AARP's
Medicare covers part of the cost
BREAST CARE
CAMPAIGN:
for mammograms?
Men can get breast cancer?
early detection
Seventy-five percent of all breast
cancer cases involve women 50 and
saves lives
older?
Early detection and medical ad-
they'll help encourage the women they
vances lead to a 90 percent-plus sur-
love to be examined regularly.
vival rate?
Further information for men is avail-
To get information to more people to
able in the booklet, "When The
reduce the death rate from breast can-
Woman You Love Has Breast Cancer."
cer, AARP has launched a nationwide
Write for a copy to Y-ME, 212 West
Breast Care Campaign: Early Detec-
Van Buren-Box PB, Chicago, III. 60607.
tion Saves Lives. The idea is to urge
There is a Y-ME Men's Hotline at
older women to have regular mam-
(800) 221-2141.
mography screenings, have yearly
The National Cancer Institute asked
breast examinations by a health
AARP to begin educating older women
provider and perform monthly breast
on the issue of breast health in 1989,
self-examinations.
and it's now a major health priority at
"Half of all American women 50 and
the Association. The U.S. Centers for
older haven't had a mammogram in
Disease Control and Prevention pro-
the last year or two. We're out to
vides some funding.
change that," explains campaign proj-
The main goal is to encourage all old-
ect director Lisa Rubenstein.
er women to be screened regularly.
"The good news is that with early de-
"We know we can help decrease death
tection of a still-localized cancer, the
rates by over 30 percent by educating
five-year survival rate is 92 percent, ac-
women," says AARP's Rubenstein.
cording to the latest figures from the
For more information about AARP's
National Cancer Institute," she reports.
campaign, write to AARP's Breast Care
AARP's Health Advocacy Services
Campaign-NB, Health Advocacy Serv-
staff and volunteers in each state are
ices, 601 E St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
being trained about breast cancer. Pro-
20049.
grams providing information and
For a copy of "Chances Are-You Need
screenings are being developed local-
A Mammogram: A Guide for Midlife
ly to reach as many women and men
and Older Women," send a postcard re-
as possible.
questing stock number D15402 to AARP
Men? Yes. While a small number of
Fulfillment (EE0864), 601 E St. N.W.,
men will develop breast cancer them-
Washington, D.C. 20049.
selves, "most will be concerned be-
cause of the women they care about,"
says Tom Cox, AARP men's health
specialist. Educating men means
AARP
BULLETIN
April 1995
Vol. 36, No. 4
Washington, D.C.
A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
NATION WATCHES
N.Y.'s poor
brace for
budget axe
BY LEAH K. GLASHEEN
Silver-haired New Yorker Dorothy Ber-
berich is an articulate critic of her state's
Medicaid program, through which older,
disabled and poor New Yorkers receive med-
ical assistance and long-term care.
It's wasteful, she says, with too much bu-
reaucracy and not enough emphasis on qual-
ity care.
Constance Elliott, right, worries about losing her Medicaid aid, Angela Tineo, who calls her "Ma."
George E. Pataki is also a Medicaid critic.
Indeed, he and Berberich have a lot in com-
country, accompanied by an unshak-
The governor's plan for Medicaid
mon: Both think the system, which now rep-
able belief in government's ability to
would eliminate or shrink several pro-
resents about a fifth of total state spending
protect the most vulnerable.
grams that help poor elderly persons
is padded with too much fat. Both think the
Today important parts of that safety
stay out of nursing homes; move quick-
time for change is now.
net-and that help-thy-neighbor tradi-
ly to push recipients into managed-care
What sets these critics apart: Pataki is the
tion-are being threatened by Pataki,
plans; eliminate the state's assisted liv-
state's new governor, author of a "tough
who narrowly beat long-time Demo-
ing program; and end reimbursement
love" budget that would reduce the state's
cratic governor Mario Cuomo last No-
for adult day-care centers.
projected $6.45 billion in Medicaid contri-
vember.
"What began as a safety net has be-
butions by $1.2 billion.
States with similar budget woes are
come a spider web, trapping the needy
Berberich, 71, is a Medicaid recipient, con-
watching New York closely. If liberal
in a stranglehold of dependency," said
fined by health problems to a single room
New York can summon the political
Pataki in introducing his budget. His
in a third-story walk-up on Manhattan's Up-
will to slice its Medicaid budget, some
plan, he maintained, would "reinvig-
per West Side.
others may follow suit.
orate the dignity of self-sufficiency."
"I could not get along" under Pataki's bud-
In Washington, Republicans seeking
But Pataki's solution is facing close
get, a worried Berberich tells a Bulletin re-
to fulfill their party's Contract With
scrutiny. And, experts point out, the
porter.
America are engaged in their own ef-
debate between the governor and his
As the divisive budget battle preoccupies
forts to downsize government.
critics may anticipate similar battles
Albany, Berberich can do no more than wait
Leading the agenda of national Re-
elsewhere as Congress shifts more
in her room, surrounded by bags of her be-
publicans: the desire to fundamentally
and more responsibility for social
longings, trays of medication-and a noster
restructure major means-tested pro-
problems to the states.
of ballerinas taking flight.
grams for low-income Americans,
Advocates for the poor and the frail
For years New York has had the
such as Medicaid and welfare.
elderly have been scathing in their op-
most generous social safety net in the
Which is exactly what New York's
position. New York's Catholic bishops
Pataki has in mind.
called the spending plan "a much
cut the budget," says Bonnie Stone, ex-
ELIZABETH MARTIN
ecutive director of Self Help Commu-
nity Services, a not-for-profit home
Who gets Medicaid in New York?*
care and housing agency. "We're not
saying, 'Don't cut us, cut someone
else."
Almost 12 percent of New York's 3 million Medicaid recipients are age 65
But, says AARP's Owen, any cost cut-
or older. Of the $17 billion in Medicaid spending, nearly 40 percent covers
ting must be "prudent" and "based on
human needs rather than just the fis-
costs associated with elderly enrollees, from medical care to home care
cal agenda."
to nursing home expenses.
Questions about who is re-
sponsible for the needy. Through-
How much New York's Medicaid program paid per enrollee in 1993:
out the budget debate elderly Medi-
$1,416 per child; $2,401 per adult under 65; $17,464 per person age 65
caid recipients have been spared the
and older; $14,135 per disabled person.
criticism being heaped on welfare and
*
All figures for 1993. Some figures have been rounded.
other beneficiaries. Nonetheless,
questions about who should be re-
Enrollees = 3.1 million people
Expenditures = $17 Billion
sponsible for the poor remain.
"People have been abandoning their
Elderly
Children
responsibility to their families," main-
Adults
11.9%
13.7%
19.3%
Adults
tains legislator Bruno. "The system
Disabled
8.4%
has grown to the point where people
39.9%
Disabled
who could well afford to pay for a fam-
15.5%
ily member's care simply don't," he
Elderly
Children 53.2%
says.
37.9%
Grace Solomon, 69, disagrees. Quiet
and self-possessed, she lives on the
14th floor of a New York housing proj-
Source: Urban Institute
ect in which one of two elevators has
meaner budget than we've seen prob-
Advocates for the needy dispute such
been broken for a month. Blind, with
ably in the history of the state."
broad-brush allegations, calling Medi-
many health problems, she's thankful
Ollie Owen, an AARP activist, testi-
caid home-health benefits, slated for
for the help she gets from her son and
fied in Albany that Pataki's proposals
elimination or reduction by Pataki, "a
members of her church.
represented an "unfair burden on the
system of high-quality care and serv-
But, she tells a Bulletin reporter in
elderly poor."
ices."
her living room, "they all have their
"This budget is playing Russian
Several groups pointed to the cost-
families."
roulette with the lives of persons who
savings generated by the threatened
What makes it possible for Solomon
need health and personal care," Owen
programs, one maintaining that it's
to remain independent: 12 hours of
told legislators.
"an undisputed fact that home-health
Medicaid-sponsored help each week
The pleas of recipients and advocates
care is the most cost-effective compo-
through the state's unusual personal
may fall on deaf ears, however, if New
nent of the state's health-care system."
care benefit. Solomon's aid helps her
York is caught up in the fervor against
Geographic tensions. In 1993,
pay her bills, get to the doctor and do
social spending that is sweeping the
when nearly $17 billion was spent on
other essential chores.
nation.
Medicaid, two-thirds of that spending
Without this help, "What will I do?"
benefited New York City recipients. By
she asks.
Also, say several analysts, New York-
ers' confidence in Medicaid has erod-
contrast, the city has only 39 percent
As the Bulletin goes to press, it's un-
ed over the years. They cite several
of the state's population.
clear who the victor in the budget bat-
tle will be.
reasons:
Medicaid spending has long been a
Charges of fraud. "There are pro-
sore point for upstate voters, clouding
Will New York's legislature, now split
viders who have been stealing from
any discussion of the program.
nearly evenly by party, decide in favor
the system for years," says state Sen.
And, political analysts note, it was
of reduced social spending because
Robert DiCarlo (R), chairman of the
tax-averse upstate voters who pushed
they, like Pataki, believe it is possible
Pataki's vote count over the top in No-
to "balance the budget and preserve
aging committee. "And then I think
you've got some [recipients] who
vember.
programs that protect our citizens'
Runaway costs. Pataki's allies
health and safety"?
might not really need the care but who
are getting it anyway," he adds.
have pointed out that, even with the
Or will they balk and side with
Sen. Majority Leader Joseph Bruno
proposed cutbacks, New York will still
Dorothy Berberich. a fierce advocate
(R) agrees. "Lawyers, providers, fami-
have one of the most generous Medi-
of independence who would remind
caid benefit structures in the country.
the governor that "there comes a point
lies of the elderly-I'm not indicting
anyone," he says. But, he believes,
"It's not like we're being heartless."
where your health or your financial sit-
Pataki told a group of business leaders
uation gets worse and you lose the
there is enough blame to go around.
The result: The system-and the bud-
in February.
ability to be self-reliant.
get-are "out of control."
Pataki's critics haven't defended ris-
"Sometimes." she says, "it's a difficult
thing just to survive."
AARP
1/199524
Vol 36,
No.1
Full circle with Ruth Brown
Washington
DC
How the first lady of rhythm and blues went
from the top of the charts to driving a bus and back
BY LEAH K. GLASHEEN
reporter.
the warm, sassy voice of "Blues Stage,"
But it's as a performer that the multi-
reminding listeners, "Remember, R &
sed to be the name Ruth Brown
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
talented Brown is really branching out.
B means rhythm and blues-but first
U
brought one thing to mind-
Pushing well beyond the limited per-
it means Ruth Brown!"
rhythm and blues. Swinging, up-
forming venues available to her in the
Which isn't to say Brown has stopped
tempo, shout-style R & B. As-
1950s, Brown in recent years has ac-
performing R & B-she hasn't. Ask
sertive, lamenting, infectious R & B.
quired movie, television, radio and
the New York Times, which in Sep-
But now, in her seventh decade, mu-
Broadway credits-and altogether
tember applauded Brown's "sultry ma-
sical icon Ruth Brown has a new ca-
new audiences.
turity" and "earthy poise."
reer: Going beyond where she's been
Mention Ruth Brown to younger au-
"This is about my ninth comeback!"
before.
diences today, and many think of Mo-
exults Brown of her success over the
That's no easy task. In her roller
tormouth Mabel, the sock-hop emcee
last decade. In Washington for a White
coaster career she's gone to the moun-
of the offbeat John Waters film, "Hair-
House concert late last year, Brown
tain top as a singer, then tumbled so
spray" (1985).
spoke to a Bulletin reporter in her yel-
low she fell out of the business entire-
To music fans, she's the Tony award-
low-and-cream upholstered suite at the
ly. And now she's soaring again-with
winning lead of Broadway's "Black and
Watergate Hotel.
a recent White House appearance as
Blue" (1989), or the Grammy-award
"It's beautiful!" she says, opening
proof.
winning artist of "Blues on Broadway"
arms wide in appreciation of the
Throughout the 1950s this tiny
(1990).
flower-filled room. "But," she adds mis-
woman with a big voice stormed the
And to public radio audiences, she's
continued on page 21
charts with "So Long," "Teardrops
From My Eyes," "Have a Good Time"
TRACEY ATTLES
and "5-10-15 Hours," becoming the
top-selling black female recording
artist in the United States.
"There were never backup singers-there
Brown provided her fledgling label,
was just me and six musicians,' says Brown
Atlantic Records, with so many chart-
of her early days. "I think that's possibly the
busters that it would soon be dubbed
secret of the longevity of this [R & B]
music-its simplicity. I can walk on stage
"The House That Ruth Built."
today with six musicians and get the
A crucial ingredient in the volatile
same sound I got in the '50s."
mix that was popular music, Brown
helped shape rhythm and blues, then
called "race" music. R & B grew from
ly. And now she's soaring again-with
winning lead of Broadway's "Black and
Watergate Hotel.
a recent White House appearance as
Blue" (1989), or the Grammy-award
"It's beautiful!" she says, opening
proof.
winning artist of "Blues on Broadway"
arms wide in appreciation of the
Throughout the 1950s this tiny
(1990).
flower-filled room. "But," she adds mis-
woman with a big voice stormed the
And to public radio audiences, she's
continued on page 21
charts with "So Long," "Teardrops
From My Eyes," "Have a Good Time"
TRACEY ATTLE
and "5-10-15 Hours," becoming the
top-selling black female recording
artist in the United States.
"There were never backup singers-there
Brown provided her fledgling label,
was just me and six musicians," says Brown
Atlantic Records, with so many chart-
of her early days. "I think that's possibly the
busters that it would soon be dubbed
secret of the longevity of this [R & B]
"The House That Ruth Built."
music-its simplicity. I can walk on stage
today with six musicians and get the
A crucial ingredient in the volatile
same sound I got in the '50s."
mix that was popular music, Brown
helped shape rhythm and blues, then
called "race" music. R& B grew from
black-inspired blues music and would
soon fuse with other influences to
spawn rock 'n' roll.
Today, some 45 years after her first
hit, Brown's work and that of many
other R & B pioneers is being redis-
covered-and belated accolades are
pouring in from critics and colleagues
alike. In 1993 she was inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
XXXX
And last year Little Richard, the self-
proclaimed "architect of rock 'n roll,"
paid her the ultimate compliment. Al-
luding to Brown's often theatrical song
PHOTOCOPY
stylings, he said: "She had the hiccup
PRESERVATION
before I did. I idolized her. I wanted to
be like her so bad, I grew a pom-
padour."
But Ruth Brown's career of today is
much different from that of the early,
glory days of R & B. At age 66, she is
going in new directions, not all of
them directly related to performing.
Off stage, she has joined with col-
leagues to fight for financial restitution
for R & B performers she believes
were cheated out of royalties they
earned during the peak years of R&B
"It's all about dignity" for these pio-
neer performers, Brown tells a Bulletin
"Singer, actress, homemaker, bus driver-you name it, I've done it," says R & B icon Brown.
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
Ruth Brown
feverish pace. In 1951 Frankie Laine
Records would neither return her calls
try. Though several lawyers told her
21
dubbed the ubiquitous Brown "Miss
nor pay royalties for her nonstop chart-
she'd never win, Brown kept trying. Fi-
Rhythm."
busters. By 1965 she was driving a
nally, she met Washington lawyer-
continued from page 24
"She was the thing," comic Nipsey
Head Start bus and cleaning houses to
and ardent Ruth Brown fan-Howell
chieviously, "You can get a sandwich
Russell once recalled.
support her two sons.
Begle. Together they pushed for fi-
much cheaper across the street at
Her celebrity grew as popular music
"Ruth Brown the performer disap-
nancial restitution for R & B pioneers,
Bob's Big Boy."
was undergoing seismic changes.
peared," she acknowledges, talking of
even giving testimony on Capitol Hill.
Brown's life is coming "full circle,"
Many of her hits were "covered," or re
the 11 years that followed her falling
The collaboration paid off with the
she says-and she's loving it.
made by white artists, like 1952's
out of fashion.
1989 founding of the Rhythm and
She got her start at age 15, at a local
"Mama, He Treats Your Daughter
Brown has no complaints about this
Blues Foundation. Supported primari-
USO. Her audition material: "The
Mean," covered by Tony Bennett.
rough patch in her life. "Getting a to
ly by large industry donations, the
Lord's Prayer." Though her Ports-
"I never got to do the major television
5 job was no different for me than for
Washington-based group recognizes R
mouth, Va., dockworker father called
many other women with two children
& B pioneers in a most career-affirm-
popular tunes "the devil's music,"
to support, except that my name was
ing way: by giving them money.
Brown loved jazz, blues and the edgy
'I woke up one day
Ruth Brown," she says.
Brown remains active in the Rhythm
jump bands of the time.
"I wanted to sing. That was-that
and I could sing. It's like
But that was not the end of the Ruth
and Blues Foundation, which contin-
Brown story. In the mid-70s, Brown
ues to recognize the contributions of
still is-my adrenalin," says Brown. "I
a gift.'
started a comeback, triggered by a
artists she believes laid the foundation
woke up one day and I could sing. It's
chance meeting with an old show busi-
of today's multibillion dollar popular
like a gift."
RUTH BROWN
ness friend, comedian Redd Foxx. It
music industry.
In the late 1940s, after being fired by
was a comeback that has borne its
What makes this outspoken, big-
popular big band leader Lucky Millan-
sweetest fruit over the last decade.
hearted legend keep pushing the lim-
der, Brown sang for Cab Calloway's
shows, because that was the period
But Brown did more than look out for
its? Luck and faith, she says. And the
sister, Blanche, at Washington's Crys-
everyone was covering race records,"
herself as she started her comeback:
music.
tal Caverns. There she was discovered
Brown says. "Pat Boone was just
she decided that she would stand up
"You cannot sing pathos without
by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler,
killing Fats Domino, you know?"
for others, like herself, who she felt
somewhere along the line having
founders of Atlantic Records.
Then, suddenly, Bro wn ran into trou-
had been abused by the recording in-
touched it," she says. "That's what's so
From her first hit song for Atlantic,
bles of her own. In the early 1960s,
dustry in the early R & B days.
wonderful and therapeutic about mu-
"So Long" (1949), through "Don't De-
Brown fell off the charts-hard.
"I was cheated," Brown now says.
sic-there are songs that will allow
ceive Me" (1959), it was to be a wildly
Among the reasons: There was the
She explains that while some artists
you to get that frustration or that anger
successful partnership, one that es-
British invasion, led by the Beatles,
had no royalty agreements at all, oth-
or that sadness out.
tablished the fledgling company as a
she says-and the fact that "you now
ers, like herself, didn't get proper roy-
"If you are dedicated to it, music can
top R& B label.
had to start shortening your dresses
alty accounting. The result: While the
keep you balanced."
Along the way, Brown collaborated
and showing your cleavage. And I was
labels made millions, the performers
For a Ruth Brown sampler: "Miss
with some of the industry's best ses-
not about that."
often got nothing.
Rhythm: Greatest Hits and More," a two
sionmen and toured the country at a
By the early 1960s, she says, Atlantic
Bro wn decided to take on the indus-
CD set (Atlantic 82061).
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