Here is a comprehensive summary of the article about Martha Graham:
Martha Graham (1894–1991) was a revolutionary American modern dancer, teacher, and choreographer whose distinct "Graham technique" fundamentally reshaped the dance world and is still taught globally. Over her remarkable seven-decade career, she achieved numerous firsts, including performing at the White House, traveling as a cultural ambassador, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, alongside many international honors.
Born in Pennsylvania, Graham moved to California as a teenager and was deeply inspired after seeing Ruth St. Denis perform, leading her to study at the Denishawn School. Driven to make dance a raw, human-centered art form, she broke away from decorative ballet movements. In 1926, Graham established both the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance and the Martha Graham School, which is now the oldest dance school in the United States, solidifying her enduring legacy in modern dance.