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Alicia Alonso, 1955. (credit: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (neg. no. LC-USZ62-115331))

(born Dec. 21, 1921, Havana, Cuba) Cuban ballerina, choreographer, and director. She studied in Havana and New York, where she danced with Ballet Theatre (later American Ballet Theatre; 1940 – 41, 1943 – 48, 1950 – 55, 1958 – 59). In 1948 she formed her own company, Ballet Alicia Alonso (renamed Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1959), with which she performed frequently on tour in Latin America. Despite failing eyesight, she continued for many years to dance leading roles as a guest artist with American Ballet Theatre and other companies.

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