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African-American ballerina makes history

US ballerina Misty Copeland, 32, has become the first African-American woman to reach the highest rank of the American Ballet Theatre in its 75-year history.

Her promotion this week to ‘principal dancer’ at the prestigious dance company was just one of her many achievements.

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Ms Copeland has been heralded for breaking the thin, all-white mould of her chosen profession.

“Misty proves that success is not about how you grow up or the colour of your skin,” former Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci wrote in TIME.

“She is a model for all young girls.”

AAP

Ms Copeland is tearing down racial barriers. Photo: AAP

Early in her career, Ms Copeland was told she had “the wrong body for ballet”.

She has since authored a best-selling memoir, been featured on the cover of TIME magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People‘, built an enormous social media following and starred in a popular sportswear advertising campaign which aired on Australian TV.

In her memoir, Ms Copeland worried that it could be decades before another black woman is able to rise to her position in ballet.

The film rights to her book, Life in Motion, have reportedly been purchased.

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