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Birth
Lorraine Hansberry is born on May 19 in Chicago, Illinois. -
Moving
Her family moves into a white neighborhood in Chicago, facing violent racist opposition, which leads to a legal battle. -
Hansberry v. Lee
The Supreme Court case Hansberry v. Lee rules in favor of her family, challenging racially restrictive housing covenants. -
University
Hansberry enrolls at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studies painting, writing, and theater. -
Leaving College
She leaves college after two years and moves to New York City to pursue a career in writing. -
Starting Work
She begins working for Freedom, a progressive Black newspaper founded by Paul Robeson. -
Mexico
She travels to Mexico and becomes involved in discussions on politics and literature. -
Marriage
Hansberry marries Robert Nemiroff, a Jewish songwriter and activist, they eventually separate but remain close collaborators. -
First Draft
She writes the first draft of A Raisin in the Sun, inspired by her family's experiences with housing discrimination. -
Draft
The play is refined through workshops and gains attention from producers interested in bringing it to Broadway. -
Broadway
A Raisin in the Sun premieres on Broadway, making her the first Black woman to have a play produced there. -
Award
The play wins the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, and Hansberry becomes the youngest and first Black playwright to receive the honor. -
Speech
She delivers a speech at a civil rights event, joining figures like James Baldwin and Malcolm X in advocating for racial justice. -
Cancer
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, she continues to write and work on new projects despite her declining health. -
Death
Lorraine Hansberry dies on January 12 at the age of 34, leaving behind unfinished works and a lasting legacy in literature and activism.