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Her full name is Freda Josephine McDonald. She was born on June 3, 1906 in St. Louis, MO.

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By the age of eight, Baker was working as a domestic for rich white families. At the age of 13, she ran away and worked as a waitress.

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In addition to waitressing she spent her time honing her skills both in clubs and in street performances, and by 1919 she was touring the United States with the Jones Family Band and the Dixie Steppers performing comedic skits.

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Baker lands a role in the Broadway musical "Shuffle Along." Performing as a member of the chorus, Baker added her comedic persona, making her popular with audiences.

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Baker travels to Paris and performs in La Revue Nègre at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. French audiences were impressed with Baker’s performance—especially Danse Sauvage, in which she wore only a feather skirt.

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Performing at Folies Bergère music hall, in a set called La Folie du Jour, Baker danced topless, wearing a skirt made of bananas. The show was successful and Baker became one of the most popular and highest-paid performers in Europe. Writers and artists such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and E. E. Cummings were fans. Baker also was nicknamed “Black Venus” and “Black Pearl.”

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Baker begins singing and recording professional. She also plays the lead in several films including Zou-Zou and Princesse Tam-Tam.

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Baker returned to the United States and performed. She was met with hostility and racism by audiences. She returned to France and sought citizenship.

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Josephine worked for the Red Cross during the French Occupation. She entertained troops in Africa and the Middle East. During this time, she smuggled messages for the French Resistance. When World War II ended, she earned the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honour (French military decoration).

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Josephine Baker returned to the United States and supported the Civil Rights Movement. Josephine participated in various demonstrations. She boycotted segregated clubs and concert venues, arguing that if African-Americans could not attend her shows, she would not perform

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In 1963, Josephine participated in the March on Washington. For her efforts as a civil rights activist, the NAACP named May 20th “Josephine Baker Day.”

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On April 12, 1975, Baker died of a cerebral hemorrhage. At her funeral, more than 20,000 people came. The French Government honored her with a 21-gun salute. With this honor, Baker became the first American woman to be buried in France with military honors.

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Lewis, Femi. "Josephine Baker and Civil Rights." ThoughtCo, Jul. 29, 2021, thoughtco.com/josephine-baker-french-resistance-45273.