BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Postal Service Wednesday unveiled its 39-cent stamp honoring Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Academy Award.
The McDaniel stamp is the 29th in the postal service's Black Heritage commemorative stamp series.
The actress/singer won her Oscar in 1939 for her role of Mammy in "Gone With the Wind."
McDaniel worked tirelessly behind the scenes to fight racism and discrimination in Hollywood even though she came under fire for taking roles purporting to be black stereotypes, the postal service said in a news release.
"This stamp is a powerful reminder of her unprecedented contribution to Hollywood and to her pioneering legacy to help make this country a better place," James C. Miller, chairman of the U.S. Postal Service's Board of Governors, said in dedicating the stamp.
McDaniel died of breast cancer Oct. 26, 1952, at age 57.
The stamp will be available for purchase nationwide starting Thursday.
