Won Broadway's 1987 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play)
for August Wilson's "Fences." She was also Tony-nominated in 1995 as Best
Actress in a Play for "Having Our Say.".
Won the Best Supporting Actress Emmy for her role in 1993's "I'll Fly Away".
Taught in Elementary School before her acting career took off.
Upon her death, she was buried with her siblings at Oak Wood Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois, in regard for her last wishes.