Leading Ladies

Five Things To Know About Misty Copeland

1. Misty Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater's seventy-five year history. 

2. She didn't start ballet training until she was 13! 

3. She was told she had the wrong body for a ballet dancer, then she did this and everyone fell in love with her.

4. She was nearly homeless as a child. 

5. She spent most of her first year in the company on the sidelines due to a serious back injury.

(1,2,3)