Hope Foye

The remarkable life of Hope Foye-a pioneering trilingual singer, activist, teacher, and extraordinary spirit who lived and performed across Mexico, Europe, and Israel-came to a peaceful conclusion on January 6, 2025, when she passed away at home, at the age of 103, in Henderson, Nevada.

Born Margaret Frances Hope Wainwright in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1921, Foye broke barriers as one of the first African American opera singers. As a teenager, she earned a scholarship to the prestigious Hartt School of Music in Hartford. Her talent and ambition led her to audition for the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York, but she was heartbreakingly denied the opportunity when a talent scout refused to hear her upon discovering she was Black. Undeterred, Foye was introduced to Barney Josephson, the visionary impresario behind Café Society, one of New York City's first integrated nightclubs, where legends like Billie Holiday and Lena Horne launched their careers. Performing at Café Society, Foye became a fixture in New York's vibrant music scene, appearing in the Broadway musical Dance Me a Song and singing alongside Pete Seeger and the Weavers.

Foye's activism was as prominent as her artistry. Passionate about civil rights, she became involved in causes advocating for equality and justice. She crossed paths with renowned figures like Langston Hughes, Adam Clayton Powell, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Paul Robeson, with whom she shared the stage at Madison Square Garden. She gained international recognition after winning a singing prize at the World Youth Music Festival in East Berlin. Her participation in a fundraising concert for the Civil Rights Congress in Peekskill, NY-a precursor to the Civil Rights Movement-brought her to the attention of the McCarran Committee during the McCarthy era. Blacklisted and stripped of her U.S. passport, she faced significant professional and personal challenges.

Foye responded to this adversity by relocating to Mexico, joining a growing community of artistic expats. During her ten years in Mexico, she became fluently bilingual in Spanish. She graced the country's most prestigious concert halls, hosted her own television program, and formed friendships with luminaries such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco.

In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated her passport, enabling her to embark on a new chapter in Europe. Awarded a grant to study at the Opera House in Zurich, Switzerland, she later performed with the Israeli Opera Company in Tel Aviv, appearing in productions such as The Marriage of Figaro. Foye's career continued in West Berlin, where she studied advanced vocal techniques, performed with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, and toured as Bess in a German production of Porgy and Bess . She also contributed as a voice and language coach for the German production of Hair.

In 1978, Foye returned to the United States, settling in San Pedro, California. She continued performing and began teaching voice at the Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center. While pursuing her passion for education, she earned a bachelor's degree from Immaculate Heart College and became a sought-after vocal coach, mentoring aspiring singers and actors. Her enduring artistry was honored when Union Bank sponsored a Black History Month CD featuring her work.

Hope Foye's life was an odyssey-a journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim. As a singer and activist, she embodied resilience, optimism, and a steadfast commitment to sharing her light with the world.

She is survived by two daughters, Melody Woolley of Henderson, Nevada, and Datri Kory of Maui, Hawaii; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many loving extended family members and friends. A celebration of her extraordinary life will be held in April at The Palos Verdes Unitarian Universalist Church.