Marian Anderson was born on February 27, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to her parents Annie Rucker, and John Anderson. Her father sold ice and coal in downtown Philadelphia at the Reading Terminal, and eventually opened a small liquor business, prior to their marriage Marian's mother briefly attended Virginia Seminary and College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Marian’s parents were devoted Christians, her aunt would take Marian to concerts at the YMCA, local churches, and other community music events, she credits her aunt's influencing her music career. At age six years old her aunt would encourage Marian to sing at local functions where she would often times get paid twenty five cents to fifty cent for singing a few songs., At age 10 years
