Huge Break Through of 2015

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It was a momentous occasion in the ballet community when Misty Copeland made history by being named the first African American Female Principal of the prestigious American Ballet Theater in 2015. Not only was this an amazing achievement for Misty as a minority in the ballet community, but this achievement was grand since Misty started dancing at the late age of 13 living in a shabby motel room. As a true prodigy, she was dancing en pointe after only three months of formal ballet training. Ballet is an expensive sport that requires time, money, and support from parents which were all things Misty lacked in her life. However, this did not stop her talent from shinning and allowing her to achieve such major success for both herself and other young aspiring ballerinas. Aside from overcoming personal obstacles, she broke through a glass ceiling for the rest of minority ballerinas by being the first female African American Principal dancer of ABT. Being of European roots, ballet is not as welcoming towards African Americans and Latinos as it would be for those with fair skin. Now that Misty Copeland has proven race and color should not affect any ballerinas position within a dance company, minority ballerinas will feel inspired and will feel that they are allowed to dream of being a principal dancer for a company rather than feeling as if the will never be able to achieve that due to their race or appearance. This break through is a success for the whole world of ballet, not just Misty Copeland.