An Aiella Ache Favorite, "La Baker" as she was hailed, was an American expatriate entertainer and actress born in Saint Louis, Missouri. Born on June 3, 1906 as Freda Josephine McDonald, she quickly becme interested in theatre and music art. Baker was the first African American female to star in a major motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer. Baker dropped out of school at the age of 12 and lived as a street child in the slums of St. Louis, sleeping in cardboard shelters and scavenging for food in garbage cans. On October 2, 1925, she opened in Paris at the Théatre des Champs-Élysées, where she became an instant success for her erotic dancing and appearing practically nude on stage. Helping to shape the perception of African Americans and glamour, Josephine became a muse for contemporary authors, painters, designers, and sculptors including Langston Hughes, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso, and Christian Dior to name a few. She was also an civil rights activist showing her love for all people by adopting 12 immigrant children from other countries naming them her "Rainbow Tribe". She was also a staple in helping to integrate venues that wouldnt allow fair treatment to African Americans. On April 12, 1975, Josephine died peacefully in her sleep after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage surrounded by papers raving in reviews of her "Josephine a Babino" 50 year celebration tour.. "Bronze Venus", "Black Pearl", "Créole Goddess", or "La Baker" definetly has a huge impact on Black History.
Josephine Baker, pioneer of entertainment and civil rights.
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