Josephine Freda Baker Autograph

Profession:
(1906-1975) Actress, dancer and singer.

Year of Birth: 1906

Josephine Freda Baker was an American-born French entertainer, civil rights activist and French Resistance agent in World War II. She was born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. She rose to fame as a cabaret singer, dancer, and actress in France during the 1920s. She was also an ardent civil rights activist and worked to end racism in the United States and Europe. She was also a French Resistance agent during World War II and was honored for her heroism after the war.

Josephine Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald to Carrie McDonald, a laundress, and Eddie Carson, a musician. Josephine was the youngest of five children, and her parents separated when she was very young. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Arthur Martin, who was a former vaudeville drummer. Josephine began her career at the age of eight, when she joined the Jones Family Band as a dancer. She quickly gained recognition for her talent and enthusiasm, and she soon began to tour the country with the band.

At the age of 13, Josephine left the band and moved to New York City, where she joined the chorus line of the show Shuffle Along. She also performed in a number of shows in Harlem, including the Plantation Club and the Cotton Club. In 1925, she went to Paris to perform in La Revue Negre, an all-black revue. Her performance of the "Banana Dance" made her an instant celebrity in France, and she became a star of the Folies Bergere.

Josephine Baker's fame allowed her to become a prominent civil rights activist. She was one of the first black performers to gain international recognition, and she used her fame to fight racism in the United States and Europe. She also worked with the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women to fight for justice and equality. She was an outspoken advocate for integration and often spoke out against segregation and racial discrimination.

In addition to her work as an activist, Josephine also worked as a French Resistance agent during World War II. She served as a spy for the French government, helping to smuggle messages and documents past the Nazis. After the war, she was honored for her heroism with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, France's highest decoration, and the Medal of Resistance.

Josephine Baker's legacy lives on to this day. She is remembered for her talent, her courage, and her commitment to civil rights. She continues to inspire generations with her courage in the face of adversity and her dedication to social justice.