Josephine+Baker

=Josephine Baker=

Josephine Baker, born Freda Josephine McDonald, was a very influential individual on the people and cultures of both France and the United States. Josephine was born in St. Louis, Missouri and lived there for the entirety of her childhood. Her childhood was taken over by her need to financially support her family of six. From a young age she made money babysitting and cleaning houses. Josephine got her first official job at the age of 13, as a waitress at a local diner. While waiting tables she met Willie Wells, who she married but quickly divorced. As a very independent individual, she didn’t like the feeling of being dragged down by a relationship that was long-lasting. This is why in the following years she married and quickly divorced three different men.

Josephine Baker’s independent attitude was also apparent in her career. Despite being suppressed as being a female and also being an African American minority, she didn’t want to be thought of as anything less. Her career as performer began with her singing and dancing in the production of Shuffle Along in Paris. Josephine was originally rejected for being a part of the show, people told her that she was “too skinny and too dark.” Despite being rejected, she worked as a dresser for the production and learned all of the chorus and lines during her shifts. When one of the dancers quit the production right before the public debut, Josephine took her spot. The audience loved Josephine’s comedic touch to the part. It was this very first performance that turned Josephine’s life around and started her growing popularity in all of Europe. When her career finally took off, Josephine Baker started touring the United States with different bands and performed comical skits. After gaining some popularity in America, she returned back to Paris and performed in more shows and began acting in movies. At her high-point in her career, Josephine earned more than any other female entertainer in all of Europe. She spent her money on expensive clothing, jewelry, and on animals. At one time she owned a leopard, a chimpanzee, seven dogs, birds, fish, and a few cats. Her family also expanded when she adopted twelve children of different background and ethnicity, whom she called the “Rainbow Tribe.”

Although she was extremely popular in Europe, Josephine received a lot of criticism in the United States. American newspapers attacked her and rejected the idea of having an African American woman with so much power, wealth, and influence on their culture. Josephine did not allow people to continue to judge her without a fight back. She visited the United States in the 1950’s and 1960’s to fight with the media against their racist comments. Although she did not make any significant changes, she spread awareness of the growing issue in the states. In her honor, NAACP named May 20th National Josephine Baker Day for her efforts. Josephine didn’t just help make changes in America. She served a significant part in supporting France during WWII. Besides performing for troops, she also was a sub-lieutenant for the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and a correspondent for French Resistance. She even smuggled secret messages on her sheets of music. Josephine Baker was awarded the Medal of Resistance with Rosette and a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor for her bravery and support.

After 50 years of performing and fighting for what she believed in most, Josephine Baker slipped into a coma and passed away on April 12th, 1975 from cerebral hemorrhage. Over 20,000 people crowded the streets of Paris to watch the funeral procession of one of the most powerful women at that time. Not only was Josephine Baker an extremely popular performer, but she also was extremely politically influential, despite being thought of as a minority.