Butterfly McQueen

Thelma "Butterfly" McQueen was a notable American actress, whose career spanned several decades and showcased her remarkable talent. Initially trained as a dancer, she made her film debut in 1939, portraying Prissy, the maid to Scarlett O'Hara in the iconic film *Gone with the Wind*. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend the film's premiere due to its location in a whites-only theater. While McQueen initially accepted the maid roles as a stepping stone, she later expressed frustration at being typecast and felt that such portrayals were demeaning to African-Americans. Her famous line, “Oh, Miss Scarlett! I don’t know nothin’ ’bout birthin’ babies!” became a part of cinematic history, although she struggled with the implications of her character.

Throughout the 1940s, she continued to appear in films, including *Mildred Pierce* (1945) and *Duel in the Sun* (1946), but grew weary of the limited roles available to her, leading to her eventual departure from film in 1947. During World War II, McQueen found a platform on Armed Forces Radio Service broadcasts, showcasing her comedic talents.

Transitioning to television, she was featured in *Beulah* from 1950 to 1952 and later made a memorable guest appearance on *The Dating Game* in 1969. In 1975, McQueen achieved a personal milestone by earning a degree in political science from City College of New York. She later received a Daytime Emmy Award for her role as Aunt Thelma in the 1979 ABC Afterschool Special *Seven Wishes of a Rich Kid*. Her final notable film role was in *The Mosquito Coast* (1986), concluding a career that, despite its challenges, left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.