Short Biography: Josephine Baker, A Heart Of A Woman

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Short Paper; Josephine Baker Josephine Baker was a brilliant woman. She was a woman of many talents. She stole the heart of many people with her stage presences, but also fought for what was right with her activism in civil rights and the French resistance. Everyone that met her was touched by her big heart. Baker was born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3,1906 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the daughter of Carrie McDonald and Eddie Carson. Her mother was a washerwoman, she was former dancer and her father was vaudeville drummer. Carson didn’t not stay long after Baker was born, so she was raised by her step-father Arthur Martin. Martin was often unemployed during Bakers childhood, which forced her and her sibling to work from an early age. …show more content…

Though Ms. Baker ended up being a success, she really had to work to get where she was. She toured the US with bands like The Jones Family Band and The Dixie Steppers. When she wanted to be in the chorus line of The Dixie Steppers but was told she was “too dark and too skinny”,(Josephine Baker Estate), and remained a dresser until one of the ladies in the chorus couldn’t perform one night. Baker had learned all the routines so in was no brainer to put her in the show. The crowd loved her, she added a little comedy which they seemed to like. They made her the headliner for the rest of the shows …show more content…

She did more than just performing for the troops. She was had secret messages in her music for the French Resistance. Also, she served as a sub Lieutenant in a Women’s auxiliary unit during the time. Fast forward to the 1950’s and 60’s, Baker served as a civil right activist in the United States. When New York’s popular Stork Club refused her service, she engaged a head-on media battle with pro-segregation columnist Walter Winchell. She often participated in demonstration in boycotting clubs. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, in the March of Washington. Her efforts resulted in the NAACP naming May 20th Josephine Baker

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