Christine la Barraque

Christine la Barraque (c. 1878 — February 10, 1961) was a French-born American soprano and advocate for blind education and employment; she was also the first blind woman to be admitted to the practice of law in California.

Early life and education

Christine Blanche la Barraque was born in France, and moved to California with her parents as a girl. Blind from before age 2, she was educated at the California School for the Deaf and Blind in Berkeley,^[1] and completed an undergraduate degree at the University of California in 1896, before pursuing legal training, graduating fifth in her class the Hastings School of Law.^[2] After becoming the first blind woman admitted to the bar in California, she studied music in Boston and in Italy for two years.^[3] While she was in Italy, she toured some Italian schools for the blind to write about them for The New Outlook.^[4]

Career

La Barraque found success performing on the vaudeville circuit as the mysterious "Lady of the Green Veil," and as a concert singer.^[5] She also taught voice.^[6] "There is no compensation for blindness, don't let anyone tell you so," la Barraque corrected an interviewer in 1919. "But music is the source of great happiness and enjoyment to me, as it is for you."^[7] Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Macy attended a performance by la Barraque in 1907.^[8]

As an advocate for blind people, Christine la Barraque testified before a 1906 committee of the Massachusetts legislature, and attended an international convention of blind educators in Rome.^[9][10] That same year, she performed at the New York State Association for Promoting the Interests of the Blind, at an event headlined by Mark Twain.^[11] In 1907, spoke at the meeting of the American Association of Workers for the Blind in Boston.^[12] She also spoke at a meeting of the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1908, about employment possibilities for blind women.^[13] She was elected president of the San Francisco Workers for the Blind in 1927.^[14]

Personal life

In 1931, la Barraque was injured in a sidewalk fall.^[15] Christine la Barraque died in 1961, age 92.^[16][17]

References

1. "Language of Signs; Graduating Day at the Berkeley School" San Francisco Chronicle (June 10, 1891): 5.
2. "Blind Girl Who Led Class in a California Law School" Indianapolis News (June 5, 1906): 5. via Newspapers.com
3. "Blind Christine la Barraque Returns to Boston From Long Journey" Boston Post (May 1, 1907): 3. via Newspaperarchive.com
4. Christine Labarraque, "Work for the Blind in Italy" The New Outlook for the Blind 1(1907): 64-65.
5. "La Barraque Recital Draws Fine Audience" San Francisco Call 87(138)(April 17, 1901).
6. "Mme. La Barraque, Blind Soprano, to Give Song Recital" San Francisco Chronicle (September 29, 1919): 7. via Newspapers.com
7. Ray C. B. Brown, "Mme. Christine la Barraque A Fine Artist" Pacific Coast Musical Review 36(9)(May 31, 1919): 12.
8. "Blind Girl Singer Enters Vaudeville" Boston Traveler (September 24, 1907).
9. "What Will and Work Can Do" Century Path 11(18)(March 8, 1908): 15.
10. "Noble Woman Works for Blind" San Francisco Chronicle (March 3, 1906): 1. via Newspapers.com
11. "Strong Plea for the Blind" Boston Evening Transcript (March 30, 1906): 16.
12. "Friends of the Blind to Meet" Boston Transcript (August 26, 1907).
13. Mlle. Christine la Barraque, "What the Seeing Woman Can Do for the Blind Woman in a Business-like Way" Official Report of the Ninth Biennial Convention, General Federation of Women's Clubs (June 29, 1908): 379-381.
14. "Workers for Blind Elect Officers" Oakland Tribune (August 17, 1927): 36. via Newspapers.com
15. "Woman Asks $20,800 for Sidewalk Fall" Oakland Tribune (January 6, 1932): 10. via Newspapers.com
16. "Death Ends Woman's Life of Courage" High Point Enterprise (February 12, 1961): 1. via Newspapers.com
17. "Christine La Barraque" New York Times (February 12, 1961): 87.