On the 3rd of June,1906 famous French dancer, singer, actress, civil right activist and French resistance spy Josephine Baker was born in Missouri, America. Her life story is one of the most intriguing ones that I have read till date.
EARLY YEARS
Josephine’s childhood was not a very pleasant one. While growing up as a black American she was forced to work as a live-in domestic for a white family in St Louis. It was here that she experienced physical abuse from a lady who burned her hands after she put too much soap in the laundry. But that’s not it. When Josephine was just 11 she witnessed the East St Louis Massacre where thousands of black people were murdered at the hands of white people and thousands more were left homeless and injured.
CAREER BEGINNING
Interested in dancing, she began working with a street performance group at the age of 15. Having seen many adversities in a life beset with loneliness but a resolute spirit, she moved on to chart a course for herself. During her early career, Josephine was part of a popular Broadway dance ‘Shuffle Along’. However, Josephine was placed at the back of the chorus line. Feeling that she was going to be overshadowed, she used her position to introduce a hint of comedy into her routine. This made her stand out from the other dancers.
After working for Broadway she moved to France in 1925 and gained popularity for her erotic dance moves. Within a few years Josephine was considered the most famous American dancer to work in France. In 1931 she released her most famous song ‘J’ai deux amours’ which spoke of her love for her country and Paris. Although Paris really enjoyed her music, America never really reciprocated.
SECOND WORLD WAR
Then in 1939 France officially declared war on Germany. Josephine was recruited by the Deuxième Bureau (a French military intelligence) to be an honourable correspondent with Jacques Abtey, the head of the counterintelligence in France. Her massive popularity enabled her to pass through Germany and rub shoulders with high-ranking Japanese and Italian officials. She socialised with them at nightclubs, embassies, and ministries charming them all while secretly gathering information. Then when Germany invaded France she moved to the south of France. There, she housed people eager to help the ‘Free French’ effort and supplied them with visas.
Being an entertainer, she had the excuse to move around Europe and parts of America. She helped the French in various ways- by giving information about Nazi concentration, carrying notes written in invisible ink on her music sheets, and transmitting information freely to serve her nation. During the time of WW2 she also entertained the soldiers and did a lot of relief work in Africa.
AFTER THE WAR
Then once the war concluded, she returned back to Folies Bergère where she received much appreciation for her wartime heroism. 1951 saw her rising to imminence in the entertainment industry once again. At almost the same time she championed the Civil Rights Movement happening in America. Getting infuriated at being cancelled from 26 hotel reservations in America, she fought openly and spoke passionately about the rights of black Americans. She even spoke beside Martin Luther Jr in 1963 and addressed the people on ‘Rights of Negro Women’.
It was during this time that she received accolades from various organisations and her work in WW2 got highly acknowledged. She was hailed as a champion of Civil Rights movement and fought against the desegregation of black Americans.
LATER YEARS
Having seen hard days adding up to total bankruptcy, Josephine continued to perform and was a celebrated sweetheart of the French. Then in 1975, at the age of 69, she starred in a revue to celebrate her 50 years of working in the French show business which resulted in a full house. In fact, many extra chairs were needed to accommodate all spectators.
Unfortunately, four days later she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away peacefully on the 12th of April, 1975.
LEGACY
Many prominent places in France are named after her and her pictures and statues appear in many museums. Her two sons opened a restaurant in New York that displays pictures from her work and art. Her house Chateau des Milandes is also a living testament to all that she had done and achieved in her days.
An artist, fighter and exceptional song writer, Josephine Baker was a remarkable crusader. She showed the world how grit and determination to lead an honorable life can make an exceptional person. I believe that women like her are rare to find and even more difficult to live up to as idols.
Writer : Jiyah Nair
Grade : 6 (Year 2023)
Place : Sydney, Australia
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