Josephine Baker

Throwback Thursday Snapshot

Josephine Baker, 1926

"The most sensational woman anybody ever saw. Or ever will." - Ernest Hemingway, speaking about Josephine Baker.

Early Life

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1906, Josephine experienced poverty and strife from an early age. The troubles began shortly after her birth when her father abandoned the family. Her mother remarried a man who offered little stability. Frequent evictions and moves followed. And Josephine’s mother took her frustration out on the child, who, she said, looked too much like the man who left.

To help her family financially, Josephine began working as a maid at the age of seven. She'd rise long before the sun to start work at 5am. After work, she went to school, where classmates teased her for wearing the same dress daily and walking barefoot. She learned to deflect their teasing with humor, making the other kids laugh before they could laugh at her. As a result, she became known as the class clown. When school let out, she would resume work, having responsibilities that lasted well into the late evening.

While this work schedule didn't last long, it only ended because of a violent attack on Josephine by the woman she worked for. After that, Josephine continued taking various jobs and soon began missing many school days. The absences added up, and she dropped out at age twelve. 

Yet, amidst all this turmoil in the beginnings of her life, a passion for performing arts began forming. Josephine, whose father was a musician and whose concerts she would attend from her earliest days, began spending time in the local music scene. As she said, 

"I spent most of my time wandering around the colored quarter. Unlike Aunt Elvara, who detested our neighborhood, I thought it was terribly exciting. Especially on Saturdays. Everyone seemed to own an accordion, a banjo or harmonica. Those without enough money for real instruments made banjos from cheese boxes. We played music that to us was beautiful on everything from clothesline strung across barrel halves to paper-covered combs. As soon as the music began, I would move my arms and legs in all directions in time to the rhythm or mark the beat with my friends on the treasure we pulled from the trash: tin cans, battered saucepans, abandoned wooden and metal containers. What a wonderful time we had!"

By her early teen years, Josephine longed for stability and decided to get married, hoping this might bring her some kind of home. Because she was just thirteen at the time, the marriage was only in spirit. State laws didn't allow people so young to marry. The union would be short-lived, ending after a year. But just a year after that, Josephine married again, still looking for something steady.

Career

"I'm going to talk to the director. Since we're going to have to work someplace, why not in show business? Wouldn't that be fun?" Josephine said to her sister. Josephine was determined. And bold. She talked to the director and got a job dancing on the chorus line. On opening night, she stole the show. The director was so impressed that he immediately offered her a featured role.