Josephine Baker, French actress, activist, and humanitarian (b. 1906)

Born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, the remarkable life of Josephine Baker unfolded across continents, transforming her into a global icon. She was an American-born French entertainer, a courageous agent for the French Resistance during World War II, and a passionate civil rights activist. While her roots were in the United States, her extraordinary career flourished predominantly in Europe, particularly in her adopted homeland of France, where she became a naturalized citizen as Joséphine Baker.

The Lure of Paris and the Rise of a Star

Seeking opportunity and an escape from racial prejudice prevalent in the United States, Baker found her true stage in Paris. During her early career, she captivated audiences and critics alike, becoming one of the most celebrated performers to headline the famed revues of the Folies Bergère. Her electric performance in the 1927 revue, "Un vent de folie," created an absolute sensation across the city, cementing her status as a cultural phenomenon. It was during this period that her iconic costume, a short skirt fashioned from artificial bananas paired with a simple beaded necklace, emerged. This daring and exotic attire quickly became a potent symbol, embodying the vibrant energy of both the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties, and making her an instant global sensation.

Artists and intellectuals of the era were spellbound by her unique allure and talent, bestowing upon her an array of evocative nicknames such as the "Black Venus," the "Black Pearl," the "Bronze Venus," and the "Creole Goddess." Her captivating presence and boundary-pushing performances shattered norms and opened doors, leading her to become the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film "Siren of the Tropics," directed by Mario Nalpas and Henri Étiévant. This role was a groundbreaking achievement, showcasing her star power to a wider international audience.

A French Patriot and Wartime Hero

In 1937, Josephine Baker made a profound decision, renouncing her U.S. citizenship and embracing France as her true home after her marriage to French industrialist Jean Lion. This commitment deepened during World War II when she bravely aided the French Resistance. Using her celebrity status as cover, she carried secret messages written in invisible ink on her sheet music and hid refugees in her château. Her contributions were invaluable and deeply recognized after the war. The French Committee of National Liberation awarded her the Resistance Medal, the French military bestowed upon her the Croix de Guerre, and General Charles de Gaulle named her a Chevalier of the prestigious Légion d'honneur. Her heartfelt declaration, "I have two loves, my country and Paris," encapsulated her unwavering devotion to her adopted nation.

Beyond her wartime heroism, Baker became a loving mother to a diverse family of children, whom she affectionately called her "Rainbow Tribe." She adopted twelve children from various nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, raising them together at her château in France as a living testament to her dream of universal brotherhood and peace, demonstrating that people of different origins could coexist harmoniously.

A Champion for Civil Rights

While celebrated in Europe, Baker never forgot the struggles faced by Black people in her birth country. She was a staunch advocate for civil rights, famously refusing to perform for segregated audiences in the United States. She actively participated in the American Civil Rights Movement, marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and speaking at the historic March on Washington in 1963. Her commitment to equality was so profound that in 1968, following the tragic assassination of Dr. King, Coretta Scott King extended to Josephine Baker an offer of unofficial leadership within the movement. After careful consideration and weighing the significant responsibilities and potential dangers against the welfare of her twelve children, Baker, with a heavy heart, declined the offer, prioritizing the safety of her "Rainbow Tribe."

An Enduring Legacy: Panthéon Recognition

Josephine Baker's extraordinary life and legacy received its ultimate national recognition in France on November 30, 2021. On this momentous day, she entered the Panthéon in Paris, becoming the first Black woman to be granted one of France's highest honors. The Panthéon is a hallowed mausoleum dedicated to French citizens who have made indelible contributions to the nation. While her physical resting place remains in Monaco, a cenotaph – a monument to someone buried elsewhere – was installed in vault 13 of the crypt within the Panthéon, ensuring her eternal presence among France's revered heroes. This posthumous tribute underscores her profound impact not only as an artist but also as a humanitarian, a patriot, and a fearless fighter for justice and equality.

Frequently Asked Questions About Josephine Baker

Why did Josephine Baker move to France?
Josephine Baker moved to France primarily due to the greater opportunities and freedom offered to Black performers in Paris compared to the pervasive racial discrimination and segregation she faced in the United States during the early 20th century. Europe embraced her talent without the same racial barriers.
What was the significance of her banana skirt?
Her banana skirt costume, worn during her performances at the Folies Bergère in 1927, became an iconic image of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties. It symbolized a daring, exotic, and liberating spirit, making her an instant international sensation and challenging conventional notions of performance and femininity.
How did Josephine Baker contribute to the French Resistance during World War II?
During World War II, Josephine Baker served as an intelligence agent for the French Resistance. She used her celebrity status to move across borders, carrying secret messages written in invisible ink on her sheet music and even hiding Jewish refugees and Resistance members in her château.
Why did she renounce her U.S. citizenship?
Josephine Baker renounced her U.S. citizenship in 1937 after marrying French industrialist Jean Lion. This decision reflected her deep love for France, her adopted home, and perhaps also a protest against the racial injustices prevalent in the United States at the time. She felt France offered her a true sense of belonging and equality.
What was Josephine Baker's role in the American Civil Rights Movement?
Josephine Baker was a prominent civil rights activist. She famously refused to perform for segregated audiences in the U.S. and actively participated in demonstrations, including the March on Washington in 1963, where she spoke alongside Martin Luther King Jr. Her global fame lent significant visibility to the movement.
What is the Panthéon, and why was her entry historic?
The Panthéon in Paris is a revered mausoleum dedicated to honoring French citizens who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation. Josephine Baker's entry on November 30, 2021, was historic because she became the first Black woman to receive this prestigious national honor, signifying France's recognition of her immense artistic, humanitarian, and patriotic legacy.
What is Josephine Baker's "Rainbow Tribe"?
The "Rainbow Tribe" refers to the twelve children of various nationalities and ethnic backgrounds that Josephine Baker adopted throughout her life. She raised them together at her château in France, aiming to create a living experiment in universal brotherhood and to show that people of different origins could live together in peace and harmony.