[2014] Silvana Audia (Block B): Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker1906-1975

- 1906: Freda Josephine is born-1919: ran away from home and worked as a waitress/ toured the US with the Jones Family Band and the Dixie Steppers as a performer-1921: marries Willie Baker (would divorce him but would keep the name)-1923: got a role in Shuffle Along, she became an audience favorite-1925: moved to Paris and performed in the La Reve Negre at theatre Champs- Elysee

Did You Know: Josephine Baker was the first black woman to feature in a motion picture and the first American woman to be buried in France with military honors. While performing in Paris she became one of the most popular and well paid performers in Europe

La Vie

- 1926: became the most paid performer in Europe-1930: became the first black woman to have a starting role in a motion picture: Zou-Zou-1936: Returned to perfume in the US and faced racism. First times she spoke up against segregation. In her return to Paris she married Jean Lion and becomes a French citizen

- 1940-45: worked as a nurse during the French occupation and later entertained troops in the Middle East and Africa (she made her audience to be integrated). In her music sheet she smuggled codes-1947-50: marries a fourth time and adopts 12 babies from all over the world. She called her family the rainbow tribe-1950-70: became more active in the civil right movement and helped Martin Luther King Jr. as a speaker for the March on Washington.-1973: she was finally allowed to perfume at Carnegie Hall in New York-1975: the show: Josephine was performed as a celebration of 50 years from her French debut. After 14 performances Josephine suffered a brain hemorrhage and dies in her sleep.

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