Moms Mabley

Loretta Mary Aiken, better known by her stage name Jackie “Moms” Mabley, was an American pioneer of stand‑up comedy and film who broke barriers for black women in entertainment. Born on March 19, 1897 in Brevard, North Carolina, she was one of sixteen children of James Aiken and Mary Smith, and survived a traumatic childhood that included two early pregnancies and the loss of both parents before she reached adulthood. Encouraged by her grandmother, she fled to Cleveland at fourteen and joined a traveling minstrel troupe, quickly developing a talent for singing, dancing and comedic timing that would define her career. By the 1920s she had become a staple of the Chitlin’ Circuit, performing in venues such as Connie’s Inn in Harlem and later earning the historic honor of being the first female comic to appear at the Apollo Theater in 1939. In the 1950s she adopted the “Moms” persona—an endearing, toothless grandmother in a house dress and floppy hat—allowing her to address controversial topics like racism, sexuality and age with a gentle, yet razor‑sharp, humor that resonated with both black and white audiences. During the 1960s Mabley crossed over to mainstream television, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and even recording a Billboard Top 40 hit with a cover of “Abraham, Martin and John,” making her one of the oldest performers to chart. She continued to tour, record comedy albums, and act in films such as Amazing Grace (1974) even after suffering a heart attack on set. Her dynamic stage presence and willingness to confront taboo subjects made her a mentor to younger comedians and a cultural touchstone for future generations. Mabley’s personal life was marked by resilience; she raised six children—four of her own and two adopted after her early pregnancies—and remained a beloved figure until her death from heart failure on May 23, 1975 in White Plains, New York. Her legacy endures in documentaries, tributes by performers like Whoopi Goldberg and Wanda Sykes, and in the ongoing recognition of her role as a trailblazing LGBTQ icon and comedic legend.