Her parents, both entertainers, performed throughout the segregated Midwest often bringing her on stage during their shows. Unfortunately, their careers never took off, forcing the young Baker to look for odd jobs to survive. If she was unable to find work she would often dance on the streets, collecting money from onlookers. Eventually, her routine caught the attention of an African American theatre troupe.
At the age of 15, Baker ran off and began to perform with the group. Baker flourished as a dancer in several Vaudeville shows, which was a popular theatre genre in the 20 th century.
She eventually moved to New York City and participated in the celebration of black life and art now known as the Harlem Renaissance. A few years later her success took her to Paris. Baker became one of the most sought-after performers due to her distinct dancing style and unique costumes. In her famed show Danse Sauvage she danced across stage in a banana skirt. Baker was multitalented, known for her dancing and singing she even played in several successful major motion pictures released in Europe.
She aided French military officials by passing on secrets she heard while performing in front of the enemy. She transported the confidential information by writing with invisible ink on music sheets. After many years of performing in Paris, Baker returned to the United States.
Her return home forced Baker to confront segregation and discrimination that she had not experienced since she was a child in St.
She often refused to perform to segregated audiences, which usually forced club owners to integrate for her shows. In , she was one of the few women allowed to speak at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Her speech detailed her life as a black woman in the United States and abroad:. And much more. Text and research by Laura R. Society Resources The following is a selected list of books, articles, and manuscripts about Josephine Baker in the research centers of The State Historical Society of Missouri.
Louis Post-Dispatch. April 13, , p. Josephine: The Hungry Heart. New York: Cooper Square Press, Foley, Gary R. Kremer, and Kenneth H. Winn, eds. Dictionary of Missouri Biography. Columbia: University of Missouri Press, Josephine Baker: Image and Icon.
A few years later her success took her to Paris. Baker became one of the most sought-after performers due to her distinct dancing style and unique costumes. In her famed show Danse Sauvage she danced across stage in a banana skirt. Baker was multitalented, known for her dancing and singing she even played in several successful major motion pictures released in Europe.
Continue reading from National Women's History Museum. Josephine Baker Encyclopedia Britannica. Josephine Baker Biography.
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