***Woman of the House*** Happy Birthday Josephine Baker!!!!! The American-born dancer, singer, and actress who came to be known in various circles as the Black Pearl, Bronze Venus and even the Creole Goddess was born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Missouri, 108 years ago today. Baker later became a citizen of France in 1937. She was fluent in both English and French. Baker was the first African American woman to star in a major motion picture, Zouzou (1934) or to become a world-famous entertainer. She refused to perform for segregated audiences in America, and is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. She assisted the French Resistance during World War II, and received the French military honor, the Croix de guerre. In July 1952, Baker came to Washington, D.C. to perform benefit concerts for the NCNW and came to the Council House to meet the women of the organization. Can you imagine how these women felt to be in the presence of this icon? Can you imagine how this icon felt to be in the presence of these women? Come learn more about other Women of the House--icons and unsung heroes--when you take a tour of the first national headquarters of the NCNW. What in the world are YOU waiting for? Josephine Baker with NCNW Women in the Parlor of the Council House, July 1952 Photo credit: National Park Service, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, National Archives for Black Womens History
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:34:06 +0000