Thursday, October 6, 2011

Marjorie Guthrie ( October 6, 1917)

By her own description, you might know Marjorie Guthrie as Woody Guthrie’s wife or as Arlo Guthrie’s mother – depending on your age. I've heard that she taught Woody some Yiddish folk songs, and I've always wanted to hear him sing them, but I don't know if any recordings are available.

Marjorie was a dancer with the Martha Graham company, using the stage name Marjorie Mazia. After Woody’s death Marjorie became an advocate for medical research on chronic disabling illnesses such as the one that had taken his life.

Her mother was a Yiddish poet, Aliza Waitzman Greenblatt, and she donated her mother's papers and important books to the National Yiddish Book Center.

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