Josephine Baker

Josephine Baker (1906-1975) was a trailblazing Black dancer, singer, and actress who spent most of her life in France. Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, she performed in vaudeville in America before sailing to France at age 19 for a show in Paris that would make her name. During World War II, she aided the French Resistance, for which she was awarded the Croix de Guerre and made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. She also advised the civil rights movement in America and refused to perform for segregated crowds in her homeland, forcing various venues to integrate.