Born on a brisk January day in 1938 in Detroit, Michigan, Barbara Henderson grew up in the heart of Royal Oak Township, where music and resilience wove together the fabric of her childhood. Life was a harmonious blend of piano lessons and family meetings, where her parents cultivated open dialogue and unity. A natural pianist, Barbara played at her school graduations, each note a testament to the discipline and passion instilled by her mentor, who also happened to be the mother of Lorraine Hansberry, author of A Raisin in the Sun.

Barbara’s early adulthood mirrored the industrious spirit of Detroit itself. While pursuing dental studies at the University of Detroit, she juggled three jobs, building a career that spanned education, healthcare, and accounting. This unrelenting drive set the stage for a life of profound personal and professional achievements.

Barbara first met Billy Henderson, the man who would become her husband, at the tender ages of 10 and 11. He taught her how to roller skate backward, a symbolic gesture of their lifelong partnership—supporting each other through the glides and tumbles of life. Their romance blossomed into a union in 1972, as Billy’s career with The Spinners soared.

As the wife of a founding member of The Spinners, Barbara was no stranger to the spotlight. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to international stages in Africa, Spain, and beyond, she stood as a quiet force behind the music. The group’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 brought their legacy full circle, a poignant tribute to her late husband.

Life on the road was not without its trials. Barbara’s role in the play Selma exposed her to the stark realities of racism during a harrowing experience in North Carolina. Refusing to succumb to anger, she channeled the ordeal into a lesson of resilience and grace, teaching those around her that calm and strength can disarm hatred.