Sir Lady Java

[2] Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 20, 1942,[3] Java transitioned at a young age with the support of her mother, and began singing and dancing in local nightclubs.

[4] By 1965, she had become a mainstay of the nightclub circuit,[5] where she was associated with such figures as Redd Foxx, Sammy Davis Jr., Richard Pryor, Flip Wilson, Rudy Ray Moore, LaWanda Page, and Don Rickles.

Lady Java cited Lena Horne, Mae West, and Josephine Baker as inspirations for her performances, which involved dancing, impersonations, singing, and comedy.

[7][5] In response, Java picketed[8] Redd Foxx's club on October 21 and partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union in a bid to overturn the rule.

After retiring from performance and recovering from a stroke, she made a limited return to public life, appearing locally in southern California and giving interviews.