The place: France, the year: 1951. This day was declared Josephine Baker Day.
I learned about the divine and incomparable Ms. Baker while at MSU. Like so many before me, she captivated me. So much talent, so ahead of her time, so misunderstood�ah but isn�t that the way, it is with all the �greats�?...
Born June 3rd, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Impoverished and sans a father, young Josephine dropped out of school, in order to help provide support for her family.
At approximately age 16, she joined a group, in Philadelphia. Directly following, she danced as a chorus girl, in the Noble Sissle/Eubie Blake musical �Shuffle Along�. She was an immediate sensation. Upon completing this role, she relocated to New York, working in a number of other productions � specifically �Chocolate Dandies (on Broadway), as well as Plantation Club.
She was selected for a starring role in �La Revue Negre�, which began showing in Paris, in 1925. She completed a short stint with La Revue, then set about creating her legendary Folies-Bergere; which would earn and guarantee her undeniable star status. This performance was most notable, for both her topless appearance, and unique G-string made of Bananas. It was an understatement that Ms. Baker was taking France by storm.
In 1930 she began singing professionally. She also completed her big screen debut within 4 years. During the time of these performances Ms. Baker resided exclusively in France. In 1937 she was granted French Citizenship.
During World War II, when Germany took control of France, her entertaining, innovative, dazzling and captivating career was placed on hiatus. Unable to remain idle, as her country fell to German occupation and control, she involved herself as a Red Cross volunteer, and worked for the Resistance (Free French forces) � entertaining troops the world over. For her efforts she was the honored recipient of both the Croix de Guerre, and the Legion of Honour with the Rosette of the Resistance.
As the war drew to a close, Ms. Baker�s attention turned to Les Milandes, her estate. In the 1950�s she began adopting babies, nationality cast aside � Josephine�s only aim, was to build a family, whom she lovingly referred to as the �rainbow tribe�. 1956 saw her short-lived retirement from performing, she returned, to the stage, in 1959.
During the 60s Josephine kept busy, jet setting back and forth, to the United States, in an effort, to participate in a host of Civil Rights protests.
Through it all, she always managed to put on a happy face. Magically she was transformed from Josephine the woman, into Ms. Baker the Parisian starlet, by merely stepping into the stage�s spotlight.
Her unparalleled talent and innovation coupled with her fervor, gusto, intensity and sheer delight for entertaining made her truly a unique starlet, literally light years ahead of her time.
In order to meet financial obligations, she continued to perform until her death, on April 12th, 1975, in Paris, France.
As fate would have it, her death, marked the 50th Anniversary of her very own Paris debut.
Without going into the sordid details, as I do not wish to mar her memory and legacy, hers was not always the glamorous life, it outwardly appeared, to be. Josephine suffered much, in affairs of the heart, as well as race relations, and poverty both at the beginning of her life, and the end.
She remains, in my mind�s eye both an unforgettable Artist and Entertainment Pioneer.
