Case Study - HR Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

- HR - Case Study Example This project report would deal with a UK based growing company, Vitamond which manufacturers a range of non alcoholic drinks which has positioned as a healthy life style. The company has decided to set up a manufacturing plant in France. Therefore the report would deal with the HR practises and policies of France as compared to UK. The HRM practises usually vary to a great extend between different nationality and it was mainly due to the changing practise of HR policies and practises due to acquisition or expansion. To a great extent, HRM penetration reflects the complex interaction between the difference in between the culture and globalization (Price, 2007, p.593). There exists a huge difference between the human resource practise in UK and that of France. The regulatory factors in UK and France differ in number on aspects. France ranks high in terms of employment protection legislation among the OECD countries. UK employers tend to face minimum legal restriction on firing of an employee and hiring of an employee. A high rate of difference exists between the two countries is in the area of employee representation and performance pay (See Appendix A). It can be seen that performance pay is 19.9% in UK whereas in France it is 72.6% (Lorenz, et.al, n.d, p.5). In UK, additional incentives from the standard pay scales are paid to the employees based on the performance of the individual, but however gender gaps still prevails in UK. However in case of France, the French are the champions for individualisations of compensation which might turn equity into key issues. France has the willingness to increase its compensation flexibility taking into consideration the important and necessary benefits. Therefore the HR professionals experience difficulty in linking the design and implementing its compensation with the structure of the organisation (ÄÅ'esynienÄâ€", 2008,

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Leadership Education Essay

Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Leadership Education Essay One What is the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership? Do you see evidence of the leaders in your organizations displaying EI? Explain. Students answer Research suggests that emotional intelligence is related to several aspects of transformational leadership, such as inspirational motivation, individualized consideration (Palmer, Wall, Burgess, Stough, 2001) and idealized influence (Barling, Slater, Kelloway, 2000). Mills (2009) performed a meta-analysis of 48 studies to examine the relationship between emotional-intelligence and effective leadership. Mills found  strong evidence for the essential elements of emotional intelligence models (Bar-On, 2006; Dulewicz Higgs, 2000; Goleman, Boyatzis, McKee, 2002; Mayer Salovey, 1997) and all four components of transformational leadership. Mills suggested that emotions may be intertwined with transformational leadership skills. Based on these results, Mills asserted that emotional intelligence should no longer be considered a soft skill, but should be incorporated into leadership development programs. Several leaders in my organization exhibit the elements of emotional intelligence, as described by Goleman et al. (2002). I would also describe these leaders as effective and transformational.  Do you think that emotional intelligence is a prerequisite of transformational leadership?   References: Barling, J., Slater, F., Kelloway, E. K. (2000). Transformational leadership and emotional intelligence: An exploratory study. Leadership Organization Development Journal, 21, 157-161. Bar-On, R. (2006). The Bar-On model of emotional-social intelligence (ESI).  Psicothema, 18 (suppl.), 13-25. Dulewicz, V., Higgs, M. (2000). Emotional intelligence a review and evaluation study. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 15, 341-372. Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., McKee, A. (2002). Primal leadership: Realizing the power of emotional intelligence. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. Mills, L. B. (2009). A meta-analysis of hate relationship between emotional intelligence and  effective leadership. Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 3, 22-38. Palmer, B. R.,  Walls, M., Burgess, Z., Stough, C. (2001). Emotional intelligence and effective leadership. Leadership Organization Development Journal, 22, 5-10.  Ã‚   Mayer, J. D., Salovey, P. (1997). What is emotional intelligence? In P. Salovey D. J. Sluyter (Eds.), Emotional development and emotional intelligence (pp. 3-31). New York: Basic Books. My answer. Emotional intelligence is related to leadership. Its true since the history of emotional intelligence dates back to the times of Darwins work. According to Thorndike (1920) emotional intelligence is defined as the skill of understanding and managing other people. This ability to understand other peoples feelings, fears and motivation is what leadership is all about. In the thesis of Wayne Payne a study of emotional intelligence in 1985 is first defined in terms of the traits related to leadership but the distinction between trait emotional intelligence and ability emotional intelligence is brought in at a later stage in relating personality and leadership. But in my view its true that the two are related. Reference: Thorndike, R.K. (1920). Intelligence and Its Uses. Harpers Magazine 140, 227-335. Question 2 What is the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership? Do you see evidence of the leaders in your organizations displaying EI? Explain. Students answer Emotional intelligence (EI) is a competency, which is considered critical for leaders. Leaders who display emotional intelligence are more likely to have better results within the organization (Goleman, 1998). Emotional intelligence is a form of intelligence does not correlate with a technical ability or a leaders expertise.   EI is a soft skill that enables a leader to motivate a team. Many times leaders are promoted into leadership positions based on individual contributory success. They may have excelled as an individual, but are unable to successfully lead a team. According to Goleman (1998), EI is what sets the two individuals apart. Standard IQ and work experience are important abilities, however, Golemans study proved emotional intelligence to be a critical piece of leadership. This study sited that without EI, a leader will not have the ability to become a great leader. The study also correlated low EI with low performance. Leaders who scored low on emotional intelligence tests had a tendency to be terminated or move out of the leadership position voluntarily (Goleman, 1998). Our organization uses a written test called the Previsior. This is an assessment to measure an employees compatibility with our organizations culture and values. We have had frontline employees who worked for the company for 10 years, apply for a supervisory position and fail the test on a poor match for culture. When I argued the results with our human capital partner. I was told the test was not wrong, and if we deviated for one- it could be viewed as discrimination later. While I think that humans should have the ability to override the decision that a computer make- I think the computer made the right decision for that particular employee. It is a difficult story to tell as a leader though. We say that we promote from within, and then when an employee fails the test we write them off- without offering classes or assistance to pass the test in the future. Reference: Goleman, D. (1998). What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review, 76, 93-102. My answer. Its true from the works of Goleman he talks more on the links between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness in most of his documentations. From these documentaries although the student does not bring out the relation clearly, according to Geleman its a culture that can be adapted but brings in the issues of cultural intelligence.The researchers Alon Higgins (2005) in their research argue that Cultural intelligence is more important than IQ in a work place. It influences a persons work performance and career success. They move forward to say that emotional intelligence is not only important in our career or business but also in life and leadership. Unlike management, it is all about coping with change while cultural intelligence support this since its defined as the capability for successful adaptation to new culture and unfamiliar setting. Reference: Alon, I. J.M. Higgins. (2005) Global leadership success through emotional and cultural intelligences. Business Horizons publisher. Pp.501-512 Question 3 What is the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership? Do you see evidence of the leaders in your organizations displaying EI? Explain. Students answer According to the University of Phoenix Week Seven Lecture, Emotional intelligence is a form of intelligence unrelated to technical or functional expertise. Leaders who display emotional intelligence possess a set of social skills that enable them to guide and motivate followers to achieve company goals (para. 1). Leadership is a persons ability to influence others towards achievement of a common goal. In reviewing the above description of EI, it is stated that EI is social skills that enable them [leaders] to guide and motivate followers to achieve company goals. It seems clear that if EI is not synonymous with leadership, it is extremely closed (directly synergistic). EI plays an essential and direct role in the effectiveness of leadership. Without EI, a leader is essentially not effective and unable to lead or motivate others to achieve common goals. Some of the leaders in my organization display strong EI skills, while others do not. For example, one is much better at maintaining relationships with others and has an open door policy. The other is very much task oriented and very ineffective at building or maintaining relationships. The first one is a very effective team builder, while the other demoralizes and frustrates everyone. Everyone wants to follow the first, while people only follow the other in-so-much as they have to due to his legitimate power (from his position).  Ã‚  Were it not for his legitimate power,  no one in the organization would give him the time of day.   The difference  between these two leaders has shown me the critical importance EI plays in leadership.   Reference Leadership and emotions. (2010). Retrieved from University of Phoenix website: http://classroom.phoenix.edu/afm211/secure/view-thread.jspa?threadID=22548101 My answer. Just like the first question the student has clearly stated the relationship between leadership and emotional intelligence.The only problem he does not have citations in his text to support the ideas. From the works of Salovey (1990) describes emotional intelligence as based on the ability of a leader to understand their own emotions and that of colleagues they work with. He describes three approaches to EI as trait approach, competency and emotional approach. From his text he does not shed out correctly the emotional trait of the leader he claims not to be corporative with other employees he could only be strict to his principles of leadership. Reference: Salovey, P. Mayer, J.D. (1990).Emotional Intelligence, Imagination, Cognition and Personality. Pp 185-211 Question 4 What subjects or topic areas should be included in leadership development programs in the public and private sector? Why did you select these topics? Are leadership training programs today effective? Explain. Students answer The purpose of a leadership program is to prepare leaders with practical strategies that can help them to develop personal plans for developing their leadership potential. Similar topics should be included in leadership training for both the private and the public sector leaders.   One may argue to say that government leaders need addition training in ethics, truth and transparency, but these issues are important to all leaders.  A leadership development plan should include: A strategy guide to develop full potential as leaders Identify techniques to improve your communication skills Develop strategies to manage conflict effectively Teach issues related to the delegation and evaluation of work performance by others Describe ways in which to enhance the leaders ability to cope with change, manage stress, and improve time management skills Provide strategies to improve your critical thinking skills Assist the leader in developing a plan for a rewarding career My answer What the student has presented is true. Leadership programmes remain vital even today both in public and private sectors due to the dynamic demands of management towards result appraisal and performance oriented way of leadership. All topics on leadership are meant for service delivery in leadership that a leader is an individual who is able to manage and lead others in a achieving a set goal. Just as in the case of leadership and emotional intelligence adapting to the different cultures is the important thing in delivery because different organization has got different cultures of management. I think addition of IT in leadership is a vital topic to be included with the rise of computer era in management. Question 5 Why did you select these topics? Are leadership training programs today effective? Explain. Students answer I selected these topics because, these  topics are crucial to the success of leaders within  our organization.  I also feel that  senior leaders did not provide  our middle  management team with  the tools that  are needed for progression to the next level.  Leadership training programs have  recognized needs of the leaders, but since the downturn in the economy- resources are scare and companies are looking for leaders  who can increase revenues  and produce results quickly.   These  leaders have a proven record of accomplishment and require minimal training.    Leadership is a subject that continues to be examined and even discussed in the educational system for youth. In the public and private sector there are three subjects that should be included, which are honesty and integrity. According to Wren (1998), integrity is the correspondence between word and deed and honesty refers to being truthful or non-deceitful. The two form the foundation of a trusting relationship between leader and followers. These subjects should be included because so many in leadership lack honesty and integrity. The primary leader of an organization or prominent figure shapes the morale or culture of that company, city, country, etcThe behaviors of the leader can have a great impact, thus, learning the cause and effect of being dishonest and lacking integrity should be taught. Leadership training programs are effective today, because they teach extensively how to lead others. Its only effectiveness lies in the person being trained, and what they expect to rec eive. Often times, one can have the best process that has been proven to work; however the individual can be nonreceptive. This does not mean the program is insufficient; it is the persons desire to be trained. Reference Wren, J.T. (1998). Leaders companion: Insights on leadership through the ages. New York: My answer. I agree with the write that leadership training programs are important and they teach how to extensively lead others. These training programs are important if one needs to progress to management level in an organization. The training will at the end improve the companys productivity. This is achieved by adding value to the quality of work hence bringing in new customers. This takes a company to a different level and gaining a competitive advantage over competitors.Companys spend a lot of money in researching about a specific strategic plan and also in implementing it. It would be unfortunate if the leaders are not trained to move hand in hand with these changes. This can be done through invitation of guest speakers who may talk ton whole employs to get the desired company expectations.

Is Knowledge Worth Seeking :: essays research papers

Socrates argued that actively seeking out knowledge leads to the ability of man to moderate his behavior accordingly. If one examines a situation thoughtfully, and from several angles, the most logical course of action will present itself. By exercising this method of reasoning a person becomes wise. Socrates would call this the ability to govern the qualities of your soul properly and it is undoubtedly what he sought. The process brings out the virtuous qualities in man and allows him to make decisions based on truth, which leads ultimately to good. Discipline of the mind can only benefit its owner; and thus knowledge is worth seeking. Socrates defines knowledge as absolute truth. He believes that everything in the universe is innately connected; if one thing is known then potentially everything can be derived from that one truth. The fundamental ideas that Socrates seeks to uncover are called forms. This concept is illustrated when Socrates questions Meno on what virtue is. Meno answer with several examples of what is virtuous. This of course is not what Socrates is asking; he is asking Meno what all virtuous acts share in common. For Socrates this relationship between all virtuous acts is what virtue fundamentally is. A person can see virtuous acts but cannot see virtue. Because of this, the idea of virtue must exist somewhere independent of the perceivable world. This is true with all forms or ideas of perfection: they are something that cannot be known by human sense but reasoned out by individual human thought. One cannot, however, mistake knowledge for right opinion. Socrates makes distinctions between right opinion and knowledge. Opinions are not something that one can seek because they are beliefs held on shaky ground. â€Å"True opinions are a fine thing and do all sorts of good so long as they stay in their place, but they will not stay long. They run away from a man’s mind†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (97-98, Meno) Knowledge is unmistakable truth that cannot be changed in an argument: it holds true in all situations in all time. In matters pertaining to everlasting truths, one can argue that such truths are relative only to man in his finite reflective state. If these absolute ideas are true for all of time, did they exist before man did? If so, who was it that thought of them? Since one must contemplate these absolute truths (and the origin of anything contemplated is in the human mind), they are thus absolute only to humans. Is Knowledge Worth Seeking :: essays research papers Socrates argued that actively seeking out knowledge leads to the ability of man to moderate his behavior accordingly. If one examines a situation thoughtfully, and from several angles, the most logical course of action will present itself. By exercising this method of reasoning a person becomes wise. Socrates would call this the ability to govern the qualities of your soul properly and it is undoubtedly what he sought. The process brings out the virtuous qualities in man and allows him to make decisions based on truth, which leads ultimately to good. Discipline of the mind can only benefit its owner; and thus knowledge is worth seeking. Socrates defines knowledge as absolute truth. He believes that everything in the universe is innately connected; if one thing is known then potentially everything can be derived from that one truth. The fundamental ideas that Socrates seeks to uncover are called forms. This concept is illustrated when Socrates questions Meno on what virtue is. Meno answer with several examples of what is virtuous. This of course is not what Socrates is asking; he is asking Meno what all virtuous acts share in common. For Socrates this relationship between all virtuous acts is what virtue fundamentally is. A person can see virtuous acts but cannot see virtue. Because of this, the idea of virtue must exist somewhere independent of the perceivable world. This is true with all forms or ideas of perfection: they are something that cannot be known by human sense but reasoned out by individual human thought. One cannot, however, mistake knowledge for right opinion. Socrates makes distinctions between right opinion and knowledge. Opinions are not something that one can seek because they are beliefs held on shaky ground. â€Å"True opinions are a fine thing and do all sorts of good so long as they stay in their place, but they will not stay long. They run away from a man’s mind†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (97-98, Meno) Knowledge is unmistakable truth that cannot be changed in an argument: it holds true in all situations in all time. In matters pertaining to everlasting truths, one can argue that such truths are relative only to man in his finite reflective state. If these absolute ideas are true for all of time, did they exist before man did? If so, who was it that thought of them? Since one must contemplate these absolute truths (and the origin of anything contemplated is in the human mind), they are thus absolute only to humans.

Agree or Disagree: Your Job Has Greater Happiness Than Your Social Life Essay

Society changes at an unprecedented speed. So does people’s views toward their jobs. This has aroused a heated discussion whether people’s jobs own more happiness than their social life dose. From my point of view, compared with working, my social life means more. To begin with, admittedly, there exist some people who relish their job and consider it whole part of their life. For instance, an honorable professor in my university spends all his lifetime with his students and colleagues. He poses all his heart to the studying field of Chinese film. Only by referring to this concerned field, can he have the eyes lustrous. Without any other social activities, he lives a very satisfying life. However, it literally differs person to person. As for me, job is merely one aspect of my life. True, it provides the opportunity to enlarge my vision on profuse communicating methods and help me be seemingly mature. But the vision is limited to certain fields, knowledges without any connections with job still stay in an uncultivated state, such as skills of veraciously making friends, spirits of exploring new areas, kindness to others and so on. Lacking these crucial elements, I wonder whether it can be a happy life. Perhaps even more significantly, social life can help maintain a good health status. People could select a multitude of activities which make benefits for their physical health. For people like me, I play tennis every weekend, resulting in that I have not caught a cold for almost three years. And this offers the requisite basic of a happy life. In addition, social life also could be make advantages of by diverting concentration then assuage spiritual pressure. We could travel and spot various scenery with diverse people, make fun of different circles of friends, experience other’s lifestyles, explore deeper information of beloved fields. In sum, social life could better life quality and life contentment due to many reasons discussed above. Therefore, not only working, but also combining social life, life could be more variegated.

How I Know My Mother Loves Me Essay

When I was very young, I was a sickly child. In fact, I had to spend most of my life away from school and in bed. Not surprisingly, I was miserable. I fretted a lot and constantly demanded my mother’s attention. I was a spoiled brat.During the day, I would demand that my favorite delicacies be served to me and that my favorite stories be read to me. At odd hours of the night, I would ask for a hot drink or a cookie, or just some company.†Mummy, stay with me!† was my constant whine.Not once was that demand refused. Not once did my mother groan or grumble. She answered every unreasonable demand of mine with unfailing patience. My mother would put everything aside to comfort me.My world was very small then. There was just me and Mummy. My world consisted of the feel of her cool palms soothing my brow and her floral scent as she leaned over me to tuck in my blanket. I remember her low voice, hushing me as I fretted about the pains in my joints. Most of all, I remember the look in her eyes, of deep concern for her sick child. That was how I knew my mother loved me then.Miraculously, I have outgrown my childhood ailments. Now that I am on the threshold of adulthood, my world has grown to include many exciting friends. Set free from the prison of the sickbed, I revel in the fun that the world has to offer.My relationship with my mother has suffered from my wild pursuit of fun. She criticizes my choice of friends and tries to enforce rules and regulations to curb my activities.Two nights ago, I stayed out way, way past my â€Å"curfew† hour, which is eleven o’clock. It was almost 1 a.m. when I reached my house. To make matters worse, I had been unable to call home to inform my mother that I would be delayed. There were no phones where we were â€Å"hanging out†. I knew that I was in for it!My mother flung open the door the minute she heard my friend’s car pull in. Her face was red, sweat was pouring down her temples. My friends made a quick exit as she ranted at me, her arms waving wildly. I didn’t say a word, in case one of those hands should find its mark on my face. I was ordered straight to bed.As I got into bed, she stood in my room, still ranting at me for my disobedience and â€Å"wild behavior†. I was tired. I just wanted to sleep. I looked up at her face to try to gauge if her scolding would be continuing much longer.Then I saw something familiar about the look in her eyes. It was the same look of concern that she had always had when I was so sick. I saw in her eyes all the fears that she had suffered that night as she waited for her daughter to return safely.This is how I know my mother loves me now.

Illegal immigration essays

Illegal immigration essays The problems created by waves of illegal immigrants leaving Mexico for the United States are very real. Every succeeding year sees an increase in the amount of those caught while trying to cross. One must ask why does such a wealthy developing country, with mineral resources and oil reserves, and a population of nearly 100 million people and a rich culture dating back to the 1500s, need to have economic and social difficulties that force such a large exodus every year? And why does the established government of Mexico seem incapable of solving this issue? Border agents called Federal Prevention Police have proved inadequate in stopping the flow of Mexicans going north. The 700 lawmen posted along the border have done little to break up the polleros or border-traffickers. The United States has thousands of Border Patrol agents stretched along the entire U.S.-Mexican border and Mexican border towns have extra police stationed at strategic points to curb the flow. But many people making the crossing die in the attempt; mostly due to exposure but some are outright murdered. Vigilante gangs have formed in many southern states hunting down illegal Mexicans, and local Militia groups have also contributed to the violence done to those apprehended entering the U.S. Those caught by the police agencies are lucky indeed. However, more than 320,00 make it across by eluding the authorities on both sides of the border every year. Many of these unfortunates meet a deadly end. Last year 356 died trying to enter illegally. The perpetrators are rarely caught or punished. (Immigration-Mexico P.1,2) The people coming across illegally do not do so for free. An illegal crossing comes at a price. And many smuggling rings operate on both sides of the border. The illegals have paid money either to a pollero or to the local police or both. Currently the price to cross ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 for a ride into the U.S. Many ...

Dorothy Dandridge, First Oscar-Nominated Black Actress

Dorothy Dandridge, First Oscar-Nominated Black Actress Dorothy Dandridge (Nov. 9, 1922–Sept. 8, 1965) had everything it took to succeed in 1950s Hollywood- she could sing, dance, and act, and was beautiful- but she was born black. Despite the biased era in which she lived, Dandridge became the first black woman to grace the cover of Life magazine and to receive an Academy Award nomination for best actress in a major motion picture. Fast Facts: Dorothy Dandridge ï » ¿Known For: Groundbreaking black actor, singer, dancerBorn: Nov. 9, 1922 in Cleveland, OhioParents: Ruby and Cyril DandridgeDied: Sept. 8, 1965 in Hollywood, CaliforniaAwards and Honors: Academy Award nomination, Golden GlobeSpouse(s): Harold Nicholas, Jack DenisonChildren: LynnNotable Quote: If I were white, I could capture the world. Early Life When Dorothy Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 9, 1922, her parents had already separated. Dorothy’s mother, Ruby Dandridge, was five months pregnant when she left her husband Cyril, taking their older daughter Vivian with her.  Ruby believed her husband was a spoiled mamas boy who would never leave his mother’s house, so she left. Ruby supported her daughters with domestic work. Dorothy and Vivian displayed an early talent for singing and dancing and began performing at local theaters and churches when Dorothy was 5. Ruby’s friend Geneva Williams, moved in, and although she taught the girls to play the piano, she pushed them hard and cruelly punished them. Ruby never noticed. Years later, Vivian and Dorothy figured out that Williams was their mothers lover. She and Williams labeled Dorothy and Vivian The Wonder Children. They moved to Nashville, and Dorothy and Vivian signed with the National Baptist Convention to tour churches throughout the South. The Wonder Children toured for three years, attracting regular bookings and earning a solid income, but Dorothy and Vivian wearied of the act and long hours practicing. They had no time for activities normal for youngsters their age. Lucky Breaks The Great Depression dried up bookings, so Ruby moved them to Hollywood. where Dorothy and Vivian enrolled in dance classes. When Ruby heard the girls and a dance school friend sing together, she knew they were a great team. Now known as The Dandridge Sisters, their big break came in 1935 when they appeared in the Paramount musical The Big Broadcast of 1936. In 1937, they had a small part in the Marx Brothers film A Day at the Races. In 1938 the trio appeared in Going Places, performing Jeepers Creepers with Louis Armstrong, and was booked at New Yorks Cotton Club.  Williams and the girls moved there, but her mother, having found small acting jobs, stayed in Hollywood. In Cotton Club rehearsals, Dorothy met Harold Nicholas of the Nicholas Brothers dance team and they began dating. The Dandridge Sisters were a hit and attracted lucrative offers. Perhaps to get Dorothy away from Nicholas, Williams signed them for a European tour. They dazzled European audiences, but the tour was shortened by World War II. The Dandridge Sisters returned to Hollywood, where the Nicholas Brothers were filming. Dorothy resumed her romance with Nicholas. The Dandridge Sisters performed a few more engagements but eventually split up. Dorothy then began to work on a solo career. Hard Lessons Hoping to succeed without help from her mother or Williams, Dandridge landed small parts in low-budget films, including Four Shall Die (1940), Lady From Louisiana (1941), and Sundown (1941), and sang and danced with the Nicholas Brothers to Chattanooga Choo Choo† in Sun Valley Serenade (1941) with the Glenn Miller Band. Dandridge refused demeaning roles offered to black actors- savages, slaves, or servants- but the sisters worked steadily. They both married in 1942, with 19-year-old Dorothy Dandridge wedding 21-year-old Nicholas on Sept. 6. After a life of hard work, all she wanted was to be the ideal wife. Nicholas started taking long trips, however, and when he was home he spent his time playing golf or philandering. Dandridge blamed her sexual inexperience for Nicholass infidelity. When she happily discovered she was pregnant, she believed Nicholas would settle down. Dandridge, 20, delivered a lovely daughter, Harolyn (Lynn) Suzanne Dandridge, on Sept. 2, 1943. She was a loving mother, but as Lynn grew, Dandridge sensed something was wrong. Her hyper 2-year-old cried constantly and didnt interact with people. Lynn was deemed developmentally disabled, likely due to lack of oxygen during birth. During this troublesome period, Nicholas was often physically and emotionally unavailable. In 1949, she obtained a divorce, but Nicholas avoided paying child support. Now a single mother, Dandridge reached out to her mother and Williams to care for Lynn until she could stabilize her career. Club Scene Dandridge loathed nightclub performing but knew an immediate, substantial movie role was unlikely. She contacted an arranger she had worked with at the Cotton Club, who helped her become a sultry, dazzling performer. She was mostly well received but learned that racism in many places, including Las Vegas, was as bad as in the Deep South. Being black, she couldnt share a bathroom, lobby, elevator, or swimming pool with whites. Even when she was headlining, her dressing room was usually a janitors closet or dingy storage room. But critics raved about her performances. She opened at the famed Mocambo Club in Hollywood and was booked in New York, becoming the first African-American to stay in and perform at the Waldorf Astoria. Club dates gave Dandridge publicity to land film work. Bit parts flowed in, but Dandridge had to compromise her standards, agreeing in 1950 to play a jungle queen in Tarzan’s Peril. Finally, in August 1952, Dandridge got the lead in MGMs Bright Road, an all-black production about a Southern schoolteacher. She was ecstatic about her role, the first of three film appearances she made with Harry Belafonte- who eventually became a close friend. Stardom Good reviews earned an even greater prize. The lead in the 1954 movie Carmen Jones, based on the opera Carmen, called for a sultry vixen. Dandridge was neither. Director Otto Preminger reportedly thought she was too classy to play Carmen. Dandridge donned a wig, a low-cut blouse, a seductive skirt, and heavy make-up. When she entered Premingers office the next day, he reportedly yelled, Its Carmen! Carmen Jones opened on Oct. 28, 1954, and was a smash. Dandridges performance made her the first black woman on the cover of Life magazine. Then she learned of her Academy Award nomination for best actress. No other African-American had earned that distinction. After 30 years in show business, Dorothy Dandridge was a star. At the Academy Award ceremony on March 30, 1955, Dandridge shared the nomination with Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jane Wyman, and Judy Garland. Though Kelly won for her role in The Country Girl, Dandridge at 32 had broken through Hollywoods glass ceiling. Tough Decisions While Carmen Jones was filming, Dandridge began an affair with Preminger, who was separated but still married. In 1950s America, interracial romance was taboo, and Preminger was careful to show only a business interest in her publicly. In 1956, she was offered the supporting role of slave girl Tuptim in The King and I, but Preminger advised against it. She regretted turning it down when The King and I became enormously successful. Dandridges relationship with Preminger soon soured. She was pregnant, but he refused to get a divorce. He broke off their relationship and Dandridge had an abortion to avoid scandal. Afterward, Dandridge was seen with many white co-stars. Anger over her dating â€Å"out of her race† flooded the media. In 1957, a tabloid reported on a tryst between her and a Lake Tahoe man.  Dandridge testified in court that such a liaison was impossible because a curfew for people of color confined her to her room. She won a $10,000 settlement. Bad Choices Two years after Carmen Jones, Dandridge returned to acting. Fox cast her alongside Belafonte in Island in the Sun, a controversial movie dealing with interracial relationships. She protested the dispassionate love scene with her white co-star, but the producers were nervous. The film was successful but deemed nonessential by critics. Dandridge was frustrated. She couldnt find opportunities to showcase her talents and her career lost momentum. While the United States pondered race issues, Dandridges manager Earl Mills secured a role for her in the French film Tamango. The movie, which portrayed her in steamy love scenes with blond co-star Curd Jurgens, was a hit in Europe but wasnt shown in America until four years later. In 1958, Dandridge was chosen to play a native girl in The Decks Ran Red. Like Tamango, it was considered unremarkable. Dandridge was desperate, so when she was offered the lead in a major production of Porgy and Bess in 1959, she jumped at it. The characters were stereotypes- drunks, drug addicts, rapists, and other undesirables- that she had avoided her entire career, yet she was tormented by her refusal to appear in The King and I. Against the advice of Belafonte, who turned down Porgy, Dandridge accepted the role of Bess. Her performance won a Golden Globe, but the film didnt live up to the hype.   Hitting Bottom Dandridge married restaurant owner Jack Denison on June 22, 1959. Dandridge loved his attention, but his restaurant was failing, so she agreed to perform there to attract business. Mills, now her former manager, warned against it, but she listened to Denison. Dandridge soon discovered that Denison was physically abusive. Adding insult to injury, an investment she had made turned out to be a scam. Dandridge was broke. She began drinking heavily while taking anti-depressants. She finally kicked Denison out of her Hollywood Hills home and filed for divorce in November 1962. Dandridge, who earned $250,000 the year she married Denison, filed for bankruptcy after losing everything. Things got worse. She hadnt paid her daughters caretaker for two months, so she was caring for Lynn, now 20, violent, and unmanageable. No longer able to afford private care, she had to commit Lynn to the state mental hospital. Increasingly desperate, Dandridge contacted Mills, who agreed to manage her again and help her regain her health. He got her into a health spa in Mexico and planned several nightclub engagements there. By most accounts, Dandridge was coming back strong, receiving enthusiastic responses for the Mexican performances. She was scheduled for a New York engagement but fractured her foot on a flight of stairs while in Mexico. The doctor recommended having a cast placed on her foot. Death On the morning of Sept. 8, 1965, back in Hollywood, Dandridge asked Mills to reschedule the appointment for her cast so she could get more sleep. When he went to pick her up that afternoon, he found her on the bathroom floor, dead at age 42. Her death was initially attributed to a blood clot from her fractured foot, but an autopsy revealed a lethal dose of the anti-depressant Tofranil. Whether the overdose was accidental or intentional remains unknown. Legacy Dandridges last wishes, left in a note given to Mills months before her death, were for all her belongings to go to her mother. Despite her Life magazine cover, her Oscar nomination, her Golden Globe, and her extensive body of work, only $2.14 remained in her bank account after her death. Sources Dorothy Dandridge: American Singer and Actress. Encyclopedia Britannica.Dorothy Dandridge Biography. Biography.com.