found: African American National Biography, accessed March 25, 2015, via Oxford African American Studies Center database:(Riperton, Minnie; Minnie Julia Riperton; Andrea Davis; singer, songwriter, health advocate; born 08 November 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, United States; joined the Gems and recorded for Chess Records (1966); joined Rotary Connection rock group (1967) as the lead singer; signed with Epic Records; toured with Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, and Quincy Jones; released second solo album "Perfect Angel " and won the Recording Industry Association of America's certification as a gold album (1974); signed with Capitol Records and began working on her last album "1979's Minnie" (1976); spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society; awarded the Cancer Society Medal of Courage by President Jimmy Carter (1977); was American Cancer Society's education chairwoman (1978); died 12 July 1979 in Los Angeles, California, United States)