Marian Anderson, the most celebrated contralto of the twentieth century, was born in Philadelphia on February 27, 1897 to an African-American family of modest means, the oldest of three girls. Living at Fitzwater and Martin Streets in South Philadelphia, her father sold coal and ice and her mother was originally a school teacher.

When Marian was six years old, her family began attending Union Baptist Church close to their home, where she began her musical career, singing in the Junior Choir. She received $5 for her first recital and shared it with her mother and sisters, keeping only $1 for herself.