Josephine Baker

Freda Josephine Baker, born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, emerged as a groundbreaking figure in the world of entertainment, captivating audiences as a dancer, singer, and actress. Renowned for her electrifying performances, she became a sensation in Europe, particularly in France, where she headlined the illustrious revues of the Folies Bergère. Her iconic appearance in the 1927 revue Un vent de folie, adorned in a costume of artificial bananas, solidified her status as a symbol of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties.

In addition to her artistic achievements, Baker made history as the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture with her role in the 1927 silent film Siren of the Tropics. Her contributions to the arts earned her various affectionate titles, including the 'Black Venus' and the 'Creole Goddess,' as she became a muse for many artists and intellectuals of her time.

In 1937, Baker renounced her U.S. citizenship and embraced her new life in France after marrying industrialist Jean Lion. She became a devoted mother to twelve children, whom she lovingly referred to as the Rainbow Tribe, raising them in a nurturing environment in France. During World War II, Baker's bravery shone through as she aided the French Resistance and collaborated with intelligence agencies, a facet of her life that remained largely undisclosed until recent years.

Her post-war accolades included the Resistance Medal, the Croix de Guerre, and the title of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, awarded by General Charles de Gaulle. A staunch advocate for civil rights, Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States and was offered a leadership role in the civil rights movement in 1968, which she declined to protect her children. In a historic honor, she was inducted into the Panthéon in Paris on November 30, 2021, becoming the first Black woman to receive such recognition.