Episode 3: Moms Mabley

The original queen of comedy who styled herself “The Funniest Woman in the World,” Moms Mabley shattered barriers that had kept Black comics, and especially women, from taking center stage. Over nearly six decades, Moms’ randy-but-grandmotherly persona allowed her to subversively address lightning-rod issues such as race, gender, and sexuality in ways not dared by any performer who came before. From North Carolina to Carnegie Hall, Moms fought her way onto the stage and into America’s hearts.

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