Josephine Baker

Baker costumed for the Danse banane from the Folies Bergères production Un Vent de Folie in Paris in 1927, her most famous banana costume.

Josephine Baker famous singer & dancer. Baker was born June 3, 1906, she died on April 12, 1975. She lived at a time of severe oppression of the blacks. At age 13 she ran away and went on a tour to Paris. In France Baker was embraced despite her color and her dancing style made her the talk of Europe.

During World War II she helped the French Resistance. She adopted 12 kids of many different races. When she returned to the U.S. The Stork Club refused to serve her because she was black.

In 1963 Baker spoke to the crowd with Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial at March on Washington.

Josephine Baker in Havana, Cuba  1950