| Summary: | Dancer and theater executive Annie Marie Williams was born on October 21, 1937 to Lloyd and Izora Ferrell in Coolidge, Texas. Williams attended and graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a degree in health and physical education in 1960. She received her early training from Barbara Hollis, who was a member of the Katherine Dunham Dance Company. Williams studied under Arthur Mitchell and took additional dance training under Edith James, Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Charles Weidman and Alvin Ailey. Williams taught dance for the Dallas School System, and in 1968, she became the first African American woman to receive a M.A. degree in dance from Texas Women's University. She also received a certificate in arts management from Texas A&M University. In 1976, Williams formed the Dallas Black Dance Theater. She served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Opera, Arts District Foundation, TAPER, Dallas Dance Council, Dance USA and the International Association of Blacks in Dance.
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