Help choose a historical figure whose biographical portrait will be composed by Robert Weingarten, a noted photographic artist. Read about Audie Murphy, Alice Paul, Celia Cruz, Samuel Morse, and Frederick Douglass and then vote for the figure you would like to see portrayed.
The finished portrait will be unveiled this fall and displayed at the Smithsonian. Voting opens May 11, 2012 and runs through May 26, 2012. Voting extended through May 28!
VOTING HAS ENDED!
See who won and what happens next.
This project is inspired by the exhibition Pushing Boundaries: Portraits by Robert Weingarten, on view July 2-October 14 at the Smithsonian’s International Gallery, Ripley Center on the National Mall.
Looks to me that this whole vote is rigged, as the only comments allowed on here are for the cuban? Really? Not very subtle. Too obvious.
Posted by: David Williams | May 22, 2012 at 09:12 PM
Celia Cruz represented Cuba a jewel of an artist. Anti communist and a hard working person.
Posted by: maria diaz | May 22, 2012 at 04:31 PM
A great singer and a beautiful person, I had the honor of knowing her personally . She deserves this .
Posted by: Maria Benavides | May 22, 2012 at 02:06 PM
I voted for Celia Cruz because she represented many good things, sorry she left us, we enjoyed her music and love for all people.
Posted by: Hilda Perez-Shafer | May 22, 2012 at 11:16 AM
Celia Cruz, a most courageous, talented and beautiful woman. We share the same birthday!! Love her. She lives forever!!
Posted by: Sheryn Jiggetts | May 22, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Our vote is for Celia Cruz. A woman with a love and passion for music. One of our great stars that is missed all over the world as well as bringing her best to humanity. The finest voice and artist. Her music continues
to live deeply in our souls. Won so many
well deserved Grammy awards and definitely the
QUEEN OF SALSA and love for the Hispanic community.
Posted by: Sonia Tulier | May 22, 2012 at 07:07 AM
Celia Cruz, an icon, a legend who thrilled us all with her music,voice, and passion for rhythm. What a unique style she had.To me this Cuban lady was the one and only.
Posted by: Peggy Rodriguez | May 21, 2012 at 11:05 PM
Estela | May 19, 2012 at 07:00 AM
What a Cuban hater you are! Probably a Castro Agent and or apologist!
The Miami Herald : Adiós to the Queen of Salsa
"On April 7, 1962, her mother died in Cuba. But Celia wasn't allowed to return for the burial. The government, which saw her as a traitor, did everything in its power to erase her from the collective memory. Celia Cruz records were considered contraband. They circulated anyway, and her freshest hits were beamed from Miami radio to the island's still-fervent fans, but she was always piqued by the fact she wasn't mentioned in music books published in Cuba after the revolution."
Posted by: HumbertoCapiro | May 21, 2012 at 10:05 PM
They're all great. But Celia Cruz wins it for me. Her career expanded almost 70 years and it included more than just music. If you don't know about Celia Cruz spend a few minutes funding out. When she died more than 500,000 people showed up for her funeral in NYC and Miami.
Posted by: Joel | May 21, 2012 at 09:00 PM
Miss Celia Cruz was a Patriot for her Country, she was considered an Icon for South America.
Posted by: Manuel Diaz de la Cruz | May 21, 2012 at 08:59 PM
Although they are all great Americans, my vote is for Celia Cruz. She was one of a kind with grace and dignity. Her music was heard worldwide.
I visited her final resting place@ woodlawn cemetery in the Bronx. She rests peacefully next to her Pedro Mcknight.
Azcarrrrr
Posted by: Marilyn Rios | May 21, 2012 at 06:37 PM
Celia Cruz was the Queen of Salsa.
It is an honor to vote for her.
Posted by: Rose Fernandez | May 21, 2012 at 03:42 PM
I had the pleasure of working wth Celia Cruz and she was a wonderful, classy and warm lady. She remains a musical icon that has influenced scores of artists across musical genres. She was a beautiful, Black Latina with an amazing heart and spirit.
Posted by: Tracey Y. Smith | May 21, 2012 at 01:55 PM
Celia Cruz was the Best of the Best..!!! She was great, and put the name of all cubans in a high position over the world, a patriotic woman and died before seen her free country...AZUCAR
Posted by: Graciela Sanchez | May 21, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I loved Celia
She had an amazing personality & talent
Posted by: Aleida Yepez | May 21, 2012 at 11:26 AM
The Queen of the Cuban and all hispanic music, who did not hear "AZUCAR" al least one on a life time? All remember her participation on the movie The Mambo Kings with Excel figures of the cinematographic industries. She was worldwide know it!!!
Posted by: CCabrera | May 20, 2012 at 08:16 PM
Celia Cruz was an excellent person and a great performer of the latin music.She deserves that honor.
.
Posted by: Andrea Muxart | May 20, 2012 at 07:09 PM
Celia Cruz was a grateful immigrant, fiercely defending what America stands for. She was a woman of high moral character, charm and talent. A woman whose personal gain did not take precedent to her intellectual honesty in proc laimig all over the world her political convictions and love for freedom and free enterprise. Celia was a Cuban/American who deeply loved both lands and cultures, and chose to be free!
Posted by: Rosa Noriega | May 20, 2012 at 04:47 PM
Celia Cruz was, is and will be, the most recognized historical world figure. Her music, her style and her love for others, are part of our Cuban American Heritage.
She was a great lady !
Posted by: Carlos Alvarez del Castillo | May 19, 2012 at 11:58 PM
Celia Cruz was inmortalalized by her great talent and charisma, and olso for her estrog voice suporting an ideal of freedom to her mother contry Cuba and the people. I see the merit in all of the five contenders but my vote is for The Queen of Salsa: Celia Cruz.
Posted by: Barbaro Lorenzo | May 19, 2012 at 06:47 PM
Knowing La Diva CELIA CRUZ back in 1948 when she was with Sonara Matancera not only she has the voice of an ANGEL she was sweet and tender with the fans and did see her for the first time in my neighborhood Reparto Lawton(CUBA) Were she build the dream house for HER Mother. She usefully talk to everybody with the Big smile always. We miss you CELIA and I know you are in HEAVENS.
Posted by: Paul Umpierre | May 19, 2012 at 05:16 PM
The Cuban mulata Celia Cruz, with her talent as a great artist was able to accomplish what many politicians haven't been able to do. Not only was she able to erase the barriers of race, but she also brought together all levels of society.
Not only Cubans or Latinos danced to her music, but people of many different cultural backgrounds. With her songs we all became ONE PEOPLE.
Posted by: Argelia Carracedo | May 19, 2012 at 01:20 PM
I have the opportunity to meet in Havana in 1960 both Pedro and Celia at the "JohnyDrinks" Night Club in Miramar or el Vedado . We were intorduce to both by a couple that were acting than nite in this night club. We spend abour 2 hours talking and conversing about many things . What impres me the most was the simplicity and the charm of this wonderful couple. Was a memorable evening for me and friend.
Of course she will always be in my memory . Iam 71 years old left Cuba by plane Pam Am . N.Y. VA.DC.now Fl present time. God Bless Celia and Pedrito.
Posted by: Jaime D Cebada Mora | May 19, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Although CELIA CRUZ is perhaps without a doubt the BEST FEMALE singer in the genre of MAMBO/Afro-Cuban dance music, I find it very difficult to vote for her over AUDIE MURPHY, FREDERICK DOUGLASS, & ALICE PAUL. As far as CELIA CRUZ escaping tyranny as someone commented, that was NOT difficult all she had to do was get on a plane because CASTRO allowed people who were dissidents to LEAVE Cuba. He did not hold them against their will. There are many great singers in CUBA currently who DO NOT want to leave and recognize the gains made by their revolution and the hardships due to the U.S. HELMS-BURTON BLOCKADE against a country which wants to be SELF-GOVERNED without mafia and foreign interests controlling it economically.
AUDIE MURPHY, FREDERICK DOUGLASS, & what ALICE PAUL did were BENEFICIAL for AMERICAN SOCIETY and helped AMERICA EVOLVE as a nation. ALICE PAUL with her work for WOMEN's RIGHTS/SUFFERAGE, is still felt TODAY. FREDERICK DOUGLASS freed himself from slavery and his work involved freeing others from slavery, getting the U.S. Union Army to use AFRICAN-AMERICAN soldiers to help the UNION fight the Confederates in the CIVIL WAR and MAINTAIN the country as 1. AUDI MURPHY is a World War II HERO. A brave and gallant soldier whose act of heroism for his country should NEVER be forgotten, especially at a time when AMERICA was fighting against the REAL EVIL of NAZI GERMANY, which at the time the NAZIS were invading and trying to control ALL of Europe. AUDI MURPHY is a true "CAPTAIN AMERICA." How can any singer like CELIA CRUZ, be given MORE value than those who put their LIVES in harms way MANY TIMES for the evolution of a entire society? A singer/entertainer/actor/athlete is given more importance than a person who is willing to die for their country, or change a society for the better? This is TOTALLY UNJUST and shows how MANY NEED to be INFORMED about HISTORY and the effects of the contributions the past has on the PRESENT. CHECK out the FACTS and "DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE."
Posted by: Chico CABRERA | May 19, 2012 at 07:45 AM
Celia Cruz was a Cuban artist whose name and talent will never be forgotten...as the popular saying states..."to know her was to love her..."
Posted by: Estela | May 19, 2012 at 07:00 AM