- Spoke several languages as part of her musical training, and even sang in Yiddish on radio for Abe Lyman's popular show.
- She and her son Glenn once took in an Inuit runaway named Nilak Butler and eventually helped her secure a five-year contract with Warner Brothers as an actress. Nilak later became a prominent voice in the American Indian Movement.
- Won Broadway's 1974 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "Raisin".
- She won a Tony for "Raisin".
- Founded the Lafayette Players, a Los Angeles repertory theatre company comprised of black actors.
- The recipient of the National Black Theatre Festival Living Legend Award, the Paul Robeson Pioneer Award and the NAACP's Image Award for theatre excellence.
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