Corliss Whitney: Eighty-year-old former Rockette shares her love for America's most famous dance group

Corliss Whitney, 80, of Rockville Center, NY, performed with the Radio City Rockettes from 1945 to 1953. Joining the group at age 17, Whitney danced with women who had been with the group since its inception in 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Although she left the group in 1953 to give birth to the first of three sons, Whitney stayed active in the Rockette community by writing the newsletter for the Rockette Alumnae Association, which began in 1955. She has met many generations of Rockettes and attributes the group's legendary success to the vision and talent of its founder, Russell Markert.

Today, Whitney gives lectures about the history of the Rockettes. Her house brims with Rockette memorabilia, including hundreds of photographs, article and letters she has collected over the years. Most importantly, Whitney never quit dancing. She currently teaches a senior dance troupe on Long Island.