Jennifer Hudson, Cinderella Returns to Chicago…

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Jennifer Hudson has proven to be a real success story in a very short time.  Although the judges on American Idol were not all in agreement with her amazing talent, she refused to give up on her dream.  Jennifer persevered and has shown the world in less than two years that she is a real winner.  Her first major accomplishments were a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild prize.  But, the recognition didn’t stop there, as she proudly accepted an Oscar at the Academy Awards this year for her role in Dreamgirls, the ultimate goal of every entertainer.  Jennifer returned to her hometown, Chicago, two days ago to receive yet another award, as Mayor Daley pronounced an entire Jennifer Hudson Day in her honor.  Wearing a Burberry coat and black wool scarf, Jennifer sang one of her hit songs at the Chicago Theater, while a crowd of loyal fans gathered outside to catch a glimpse of their hometown girl.  Later in the day, more fans greeted her by the hundreds as she arrived to speak at Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, her alma mater.

From Chicago, she went on to make a guest appearance at the United Nations Headquarters for the awards ceremony held yesterday as a part of International Women’s Day.  The event was sponsored by UNICEF, the Virtue Foundation of Avon, and the U.N. Development Fund for Women.  Jennifer spoke to and for the young women of America who had gathered there, as she announced the first prizewinner in Avon’s “Hello Tomorrow Fund.” Ms Hudson presented the award to Darlene Morgan Brown, a teacher from New Orleans who set up an entrepreneurship program for middle school students and their mothers.  From her humble beginnings on the south side of Chicago to the glittering stage of success, Ms Hudson has been an inspiration for many aspiring singers and actresses today.  She attributes much of her remarkable Cinderella story to the people who love her and never stopped believing in her, her grandmother and her mother.