Josephine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress.
Born in St. Louis on June 3 1906
Her mother, Carrie McDonald, was a washerwoman and her father, Eddie Carson was a vaunderville drummer.
At age 8, she began working as a live-in housekeeper and maid for white families in St. Louis.
She was often abused by these white families (ex. her hands were burned when she put too much soap in the laundry).
At the age 15, Baker had already been married twice to Willie Wellsin 1919, and to Will Baker in 1921. She decided to take her second husband's name as her own.
As a child, Baker was a witness to the East St. Louis riot in 1917, later inspiring her to fight for equality
"The hate directed against the colored people here in St. Louis has always given me a sad feeling because when I was a little girl I remember the horror of the East St. Louis race riot."- Josephine Baker
Her mother, Carrie McDonald, was a washerwoman and her father, Eddie Carson was a vaunderville drummer.
At age 8, she began working as a live-in housekeeper and maid for white families in St. Louis.
She was often abused by these white families (ex. her hands were burned when she put too much soap in the laundry).
At the age 15, Baker had already been married twice to Willie Wellsin 1919, and to Will Baker in 1921. She decided to take her second husband's name as her own.
As a child, Baker was a witness to the East St. Louis riot in 1917, later inspiring her to fight for equality
"The hate directed against the colored people here in St. Louis has always given me a sad feeling because when I was a little girl I remember the horror of the East St. Louis race riot."- Josephine Baker