Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes after performing at retirement show
toggle caption Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
NEW YORK — Misty Copeland took one last spin on her pointe shoes Wednesday, showered with golden glitter and bouquets as she retired from American Ballet Theatre after a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in an overwhelmingly white art form.
Copeland, who a decade ago became the first Black female principal dancer in the company's 75-year history, was feted at its star-studded fall gala at Manhattan's Lincoln Center. Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen were among those who gave speeches of praise.
Winfrey spoke of the power of young people of color seeing Copeland lead iconic ballets like Swan Lake.
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"Misty didn't just perform ballet," Winfrey said of the ballerina who has achieved a uniq
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