[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 12 (Thursday, January 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S91]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING HELEN EUGENIA HAGAN

   Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Madam President, today I rise to recognize 
Ms. Helen Eugenia Hagan, a remarkable pianist and pioneer for BIPOC 
women in music.
  Her passion for performing began at a young age, and Ms. Hagan became 
the organist for the Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church when she was 
around 11 years old. Ms. Hagan's talents earned her a spot at the Yale 
School of Music. In 1912, she was the first African-American woman to 
graduate from Yale University.
  At the request of General John J. Pershing, Ms. Hagan traveled to 
France during World War I as part of a group led by preacher Henry H. 
Proctor. Ms. Hagan was the only Black performing artist sent to France 
during the war. Continuing to break barriers, she was also the first 
Black pianist to perform a recital at a New York concert venue. Ms. 
Hagan's compositions and concert work received outstanding praise. The 
then-Dean of the Yale School of Music credited Ms. Hagan with ``rare 
promise,'' and critics commended her creativity and originality.
  Struggling to find work during the Great Depression, she took 
graduate-level courses at Columbia University's Teachers College while 
still giving performances. In 1933, Ms. Hagan took a teaching position 
at Bishop College in Texas and gave private music lessons in New York. 
She remained committed to musical composition, performance, and 
education until her passing in 1964.
  On February 6, 2021, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra will honor Ms. 
Hagan with a History Award. Alongside Yale University, the symphony has 
been dedicated to sharing the life story of this incredible woman, who 
performed her ``Piano Concerto in C minor'' with them in 1916. This 
award is a tribute to Ms. Hagan's extraordinary legacy, which will be 
enduring.
  I applaud her many accomplishments and hope my colleagues will join 
me in remembering Ms. Helen Eugenia Hagan.

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