Josephine Baker, an extraordinary figure, went from poverty to being a superstar. She became a spy for the Allies in WW2, using invisible ink and hiding documents. Her rise to fame, iconic banana skirt, and racism she faced are discussed. Her activism in civil rights and humanitarian work in adopting 12 children are highlighted.

Explore the lives of Black female entertainers in the 1920s, including Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, and Josephine Baker. Learn about the struggles and triumphs they faced, the impact of jazz and blues on their music, and their defiance of societal norms to pursue fame and success in the entertainment industry.

Josephine Baker, one of the most significant entertainers of the first half of the 20th century and a highly effective spy during the Second World War, had an extraordinary life. From her turbulent childhood and life-altering experience to her rise from street corners to Broadway, she overcame numerous obstacles. Her later life was marked by her adoption of twelve children, involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, and financial struggles. Josephine Baker's enduring legacy is seen in her influence on black women performers and her status as an adopted citizen of France.