"highly prestigious" high school a few years before Chisholm. Notable alumnae Gwendolyn B. Bennett (1902–1981), artist, writer and journalist who was the school's first African-American attendee. Carol Bruce (1919–2007), singer and actress Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005, class of 1942), congresswoman. Lena Horne (1917–2010), singer and actress Martha Lorber (1900–1983), dancer, actress, model Paule Marshall (1929–2019), novelist Jean Nidetch (1923–2015), founder of Weight Watchers Laura Riding (1901–1991), poet Roxie Roker (1929–1995), actress and mother of Lenny Kravitz Betty Smith (1896–1972), author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Lilyan Tashman (1896–1934), actress Shirley Zussman (1914-2021), sex therapist. References Defunct schools in New York City New York City Designated Landmarks in Brooklyn School buildings completed in 1886 Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Public high schools in Brooklyn Defunct high schools in Brooklyn