Belle da Costa Greene's role as the first director of the Morgan Library showcases her impact as a pioneering woman in a segregated America, especially considering her complex racial identity.
Curator Erica Ciallela highlights that Greene's decision to pass as white was predominantly influenced by her mother, who made the choice early in their lives for better opportunities.
Greene’s mother, Genevieve, effectively opened doors for her daughters by changing their last name and navigating societal norms, which significantly shaped Greene's career trajectory.
Beyond her accomplishments in the library, Greene's life story illustrates the broader struggles of identity and survival faced by Black women in America during that era.
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