About

She was born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri and began her career as a dancer in New York City. In the 1920s, Baker moved to Paris, where she gained fame as a singer, actress, and dancer in the revues of the Folies-Bergère and Moulin Rouge. She became one of the most successful black performers in the world at that time. Baker's performances were characterized by her provocative dance style and glamorous costumes. She was known for her energetic and sensual style, which captivated audiences and broke down racial barriers in entertainment. She was also notable for her collaborations with prominent artists and intellectuals of the time, including Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway. During World War II, Baker became involved in the French Resistance, using her celebrity status to gather information for the Allied cause. She was also a vocal supporter of civil rights and equality, both in the United States and internationally. Baker adopted 12 children from different ethnic backgrounds, which she called her "Rainbow Tribe," as a symbol of her commitment to racial harmony. After the war, Baker continued to perform and advocate for racial equality. She spoke out against segregation in the United States and famously refused to perform for segregated audiences. In 1963, she participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. Josephine Baker's contributions to entertainment and activism have made her an enduring influential figure. Her legacy as a boundary-breaking performer and fierce advocate for equality continues to inspire artists and activists today. Baker received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, and she was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the French government. She died in 1975 at the age of 68.