Back in the day–the racist day–many black performers were better received abroad than at home, where they could have any seat on the bus, so long as it was at the back.

Blues pioneer Big Bill Broonzy was one; he ventured abroad in his 50s, beginning in 1951–and became a sensation, earning standing ovations and critical raves.

Eighty-six-year-old San Pedro singer Hope Foye followed a similar career path; the Press-Telegram’s Greg Mellen profiles her today.

Foye will be honored on Tuesday, by Long Beach’s Central Area Association as part of Women’s History Month.

Raised in Connecticut by a white family, Foye went on to perform with legendary singer Paul Robeson–while enduring years of snubs from talent scouts who lost interest in signing her when they learned she was black.

During the Communist witchhunts of the 1950s, Foye was targeted along with so many artists–blacklisted in the U.S., and forced to surrender her passport.

When she got it back, of course, Foye went on–like Broonzy and so many others–to earn international success in Israel, Switzerland, Mexico, and other places where the color of your skin didn’t matter.

Check it out; interesting story.

Tags: 1950s Communist witchhunts, Big Bill Broonzy, blacklists, California, Connecticut, Greg Mellen, Hope Foy, Israel, Long Beach, Mexico, press telegram, San Pedro, Southern California, Switzerland, The District Weekly, Theo Douglas