Josephine Baker (born Freda Josephine McDonald; 3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975) was a French vedette, singer and entertainer, whose career was centered primarily in Europe and in particular in her adoptive country of France. She was an African-American expatriate who later renounced her U.S. citizenship and became a French national. During her early career she was also renowned as a dancer, and was among the most celebrated performers to headline in the lavish revues of the Folies Bergère in Paris. Her performance in the revue Un Vent de Folie in 1927 caused a sensation in Paris, with Baker in her costume consisting of only a girdle of bananas becoming not only her most iconic image but also a symbol of the jazz age and the 1920’s.
Baker was the first person of African descent to become a world-famous entertainer and to star in a major motion picture, in the silent film La Sirène des Tropiques (1927). Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States and is noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
She was also known for helping the French Resistance during World War II, and received the French military honor, the Croix de guerre and was made a Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur by General Charles de Gaulle. (via Wikipedia)
In honor of Black History Month this year, I’m creating a series of posts featuring artists, musicians, and style icons of color who inspire me.
