Josephine Baker

The Cardinal honors LGBTQ+ PRIDE Month!

Josephine+Baker

Eric Sanchez, Editor-in-Chief

Josephine Baker was an openly bisexual singer, actor, and performer who fought equity for the queer people, women, and people of color througout her life. Josephine Baker was born June 3,1906, St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up without a father figure in her life and was living in poverty, throughout her time, and developed a taste of dancing that later made her become famous. She was best known for boundary pushing “Banana Dance,” in which she danced wearing nothing but a skirt made out of bananas. Her performance connected specifically with queer audiences at the time, and not only queer audiences but people of color. She gained many fans because of her dance style and tone. She was part of the Harlem Renaissance and put effort into the Civil Rights Movement. Baker began to adopt children, forming a family which she often referred to as “Rainbow Tribe.” She adopted many children from different backgrounds hoping to show that all ethnicities can live in harmony.  Today, the people remember her as one of the first black sex symbols of the 20th century because of the hardwork she has put in her community. Not only has helped the LGBTQ, but the Civil Rights Movement as well. She offered leadership and dedication to helping out the LGBTQ+ community, women, and the rights of all people.