With all the talk about what 'J-Hud' is wearing, why do her eyes look like that and so on, I thought it was time to give a lil' bit of props to the lady who inspired the character, Effie White (Dreamgirls movie and Broadway stage play). Otherwise, we would just remember her as Jennifer Hudson that lost on "American Idol".

Most of us over 30 know about her being one of the original members of the Supremes, she didn't want to play the music biz game and therefore left (whether or not it was voluntary depends on who you ask) and eventually found herself receiving welfare to support herself and three daughters.  She would pass on in 1976 at age 32 (basically due to blood clot in an artery).  It is a very sad part of women's history and I hope one day the truth will be told so that women will know how to protect themselves financially, mentally (yep, I'm talking to you Ms.Spears) and leave the business with dignity instead of as a casualty.

What a lot of people may not have realized is that the life of Florence Ballard parallels that of Lisa "Left Eye"Lopes (of TLC).  They were not only mixed Black women who were the most outspoken of the famous trios they were a part of and had no problem telling the media as well as the public exactly what was on their mind but also pursued solo careers.  They also were the fairest skinned (which defies the stupid thought that being light makes one more superior.  Black and Brown people should know this when they try to get a loan.) considered the "problem child" of their group, reportedly had issues with alcohol and left the world way too soon (Lopes passed in 2002 at 30).


Here are a few links that tell "Flo's" story, including a book from her sister, Maxine Ballard Jenkins that was released this year.

Forever Faithful by Randall Wilson

All That Glittered by Tony Turner (my favorite even though many Amazon.com reviewers had legit questions about its accuracy)