McKinney knew she wanted to perform. In 1928 she joined the chorus of a Broadway show.  In October of that year she landed a role in a Hollywood movie.

Knowing what you want to do and not letting others deter you from it is tenacious. When McKinney saw her career stalling out in the United States, she moved to a place where she thought would be better. She was right. If you know what your calling is, move toward it. Don’t let anything deter you.