Josephine Baker
went from the slums of St. Louis in the early 1900s to the stages in Paris in
the 1920s by determination and luck. Her performing career started on the streets
of racially charged St. Louis where Black neighborhoods were being burned to
the ground. She was so distraught by that memory that she refused to play to
segregated audiences, which was instrumental in helping to integrate Las Vegas
when she returned to The States later in her career.
Her work as a headliner in the Foiles Bergere in Paris was
controversial when she appeared almost nude except for a short skirt made up of
artificial bananas and wearing a beaded necklace. Her costume was so outrageous
that people immediately took a liking to it and made her the poster child of
the Roaring 20s. She was in a silent film during the 20s and was the first
Black woman to star in a major motion picture.
Ernest Hemmingway adored Josephine, and Picasso took the
time to paint her.
Her haunted memories made her a rebel for the cause, and she
fought for Civil Rights in the United States in the 1950s. Her dedication was
so fierce that Coretta King had asked her to help carry on Martin Luther King’s
legacy, but Josephine declined, citing the fear that her children would lose
their mother to the cause.
Josephine was the adopted mother of a number of children
around the world. Her mission was to create what she called “The Rainbow
Tribe”, which consisted of children of different races, religions and cultures.
She has been the inspiration for parents like Angelina Jolie in her quest to
create a multiracial family.
She died in 1975 and women like Beyoncé and Diana Ross have portrayed her in film.
While shopping for your Mother's Day gifts, don't forget handmade gift ideas for Mom. Here are some great gift ideas for your Mom, Grandmom, Auntie and anyone else you honor as Mother.
Yellow Daisy Boho Earrings, Handmade Spring and Summer Jewelry
Yellow and Blue Earrings
Yellow Elephant Label for HERSHEY’S KISSES ® chocolates
Sunflower Pendant Necklace Yellow Polymer Clay w Jonquil Mint Crystals
Sun Earrings, Yellow White Enamel Orange Lampwork Handmade Jewelry
Yellow Flower Hoop Earrings
Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads
Large Sunflower Reminder Thumbtacks and Corkboard Pushpins for Bulletin Boards
