Known throughout the world as the “Queen of Gospel” and a Civil Rights figure, singer Mahalia Jackson used her powerful, dynamic voice to blaze a trail in the gospel music genre as well as build bridges between white and black people in the midst of profound racial tensions in the 1960s. Yet perhaps the most remarkable thing about Mahalia is that she did all of this without compromising her conviction to sing only Christian music for the glory of God instead of taking the more lucrative route of “going mainstream.” Because Mahalia chose to honor God, He honored her with a beautiful witness and powerful influence. She is without a doubt a woman worth knowing!