Barbara Stanwyck: The Orphan from Brooklyn
The dusty streets of Brooklyn were filled with the hustle and bustle of foot traffic, automobiles, and streetcars, carrying New York’s working class to their destinations. Little Ruby Stevens knew this chaos as a normal part of everyday life, having held her mother’s hand as the streetcar made its many curves and stops throughout the city. It was on these streets of Brooklyn that would direct the trajectory of her life. When Ruby was four years old, her mother was pushed off of a moving streetcar, killing her. Stricken with grief and suddenly unable to fathom continuing to support the family he has created with his dear wife, her father left Ruby and her four siblings without a caretaker. It was a rough beginning, but these unfortunate circumstances wove their cords of strength through Ruby’s veins, a strength she would need to employ in her fight within the cut-throat arena of Hollywood. Ruby was an orphan from Brooklyn, but Barbara was destined to be a star.
Barbara was not brought up in the same foster home as her siblings and was primarily raised by her older sister Millie, who was a showgirl and the one person in Barbara’s young life that had all of her respect. Later in life, Barbara reflected on her sister Millie and other siblings, “She was the one I wanted to please. The rest I didn’t give a damn about.” (The Hollywood Collection 2016). Barbara discovered vices…
