On January 12th, 1965, Lorraine Hansberry, a celebrated playwright, novelist, and civil rights activist, passed away from cancer at the age of 34. Lorraine was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 19th, 1930 to Carl Augustus Hansberry, a successful real estate broker, and Nannie Louise Perry, a schoolteacher. Lorraine Hansberry was best known for her works of art, including the timeless play, A Raisin in the Sun, which debuted on Broadway in 1959 and earned her numerous accolades including becoming the first African American female to have a play produced on Broadway. She published several novels including The Drinking Gourd, and was involved in the civil rights movement, championing the works of black writers. Lorraine had a lasting influence on theatre, literature, and the civil rights movement, and her legacy will live on forever.