Daniel Cole
Josephine Baker's grave is pictured at the Monaco-Louis II Cemetery in Monaco, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. France is inducting Missouri-born cabaret dancer Josephine Baker who was also a French World War II spy and civil rights activist into its Pantheon. She is the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France’s most revered luminaries. A coffin carrying soils from places where Baker made her mark will be deposited Tuesday inside the domed Pantheon monument overlooking the Left Bank of Paris. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
PARIS (AP) — The voice of Josephine Baker, speaking and singing, will resonate Tuesday in front of the Pantheon monument in Paris, where she is to symbolically be inducted — becoming the first Black woman to receive France’s highest honor.
French President Emmanuel Macron made the decision in August to honor the “exceptional figure” who “embodies the French spirit,” making Baker also the first American-born citizen and the first performer to be immortalized into the Pantheon. She will join scientist Marie Curie, philosopher Voltaire, writer Victor Hugo and other French luminaries.
The move aims to pay tribute to “a woman whose whole life is looking towards the quest of both freedom and justice,” Macron’s office said.
Baker is not only praised for her world-renowned artistic career but also for her active role in the French Resistance during World War II, her actions as a civil rights activist and her humanist values, which she displayed through the adoption of her 12 children from all over the world.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Baker became a megastar in the 1930s, especially in France, where she moved in 1925 as she was seeking to flee racism and segregation in the United States.
“The simple fact to have a Black woman entering the pantheon is historic,” Black French scholar Pap Ndiaye, an expert on U.S. minority rights movements, told The Associated Press.
“When she arrived, she was first surprised like so many African Americans who settled in Paris at the same time … at the absence of institutional racism. There was no segregation … no lynching. (There was) the possibility to sit at a cafe and be served by a white waiter, the possibility to talk to white people, to (have a) romance with white people,” Ndiaye said.
“It does not mean that racism did not exist in France, but French racism has often been more subtle, not as brutal as the American forms of racism,” he added.
Daniel Cole
Prince Albert II of Monaco delivers a speech during a ceremony honouring Joesphine Baker at the Monaco-Louis II Cemetery in Monaco, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. France is inducting Missouri-born cabaret dancer Josephine Baker who was also a French World War II spy and civil rights activist into its Pantheon. She is the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France’s most revered luminaries. A coffin carrying soils from places where Baker made her mark will be deposited Tuesday inside the domed Pantheon monument overlooking the Left Bank of Paris. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Baker was among several prominent Black Americans, especially artists and writers, who found refuge in France after the two World Wars, including famed writer and intellectual James Baldwin.
They were “aware of the French empire and the brutalities of French colonization, for sure. But they were also having a better life overall than the one they had left behind in the United States,” Ndiaye, who also directs France’s state-run immigration museum, told The Associated Press.
Baker quickly became famous for her banana-skirt dance routines and wowed audiences at Paris theater halls.
Her shows were controversial, Ndiaye stressed, because many anti-colonial activists believed she was “the propaganda for colonization, singing the song that the French wanted her to sing.”
Baker knew well about “the stereotypes that Black women had to face,” he said. “She also distanced herself from these stereotypes with her facial expressions … a way for her to laugh in some ways at the people watching her.”
“But let’s not forget that when she arrived in France she was only 19, she was almost illiterate … She had to build her political and racial consciousness,” he said.
Baker became a French citizen after her marriage to industrialist Jean Lion in 1937. The same year, she settled in southwestern France, in the castle of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.
Daniel Cole
Monaco's honor guards arrive at a ceremony held to honor Josephine Baker at the Monaco-Louis II Cemetery in Monaco, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. France is inducting Missouri-born cabaret dancer Josephine Baker who was also a French World War II spy and civil rights activist into its Pantheon. She is the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France’s most revered luminaries. A coffin carrying soils from places where Baker made her mark will be deposited Tuesday inside the domed Pantheon monument overlooking the Left Bank of Paris. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
“Josephine Baker can be considered to be the first Black superstar. She’s like the Rihanna of the 1920s,” said Rosemary Phillips, a Barbados-born performer and co-owner of Baker’s park in southwestern France.
Phillips said one of the ladies who grew up in the castle and met with Baker said: “Can you imagine a Black woman in the 1930s in a chauffeur-driven car — a white chauffeur — who turns up and says, ‘I’d like to buy the 1,000 acres here?'”
In 1938, Baker joined what is today called LICRA, a prominent antiracist league and longtime advocate for her entry in the Pantheon.
The next year, she started to work for France’s counter-intelligence services against Nazis, notably collecting information from German officials who she met at parties. She then joined the French Resistance, using her artistic performances as a cover for spying activities during World War II.
In 1944, Baker became second-lieutenant in a female group in the Air Force of the French Liberation Army of Gen. Charles De Gaulle.
After the war, she got involved in anti-racist politics. A civil rights activist, she was the only woman to speak at the 1963 March on Washington before Martin Luther King’s famed “I Have a Dream” speech.
Daniel Cole
Prince Albert II of Monaco stands for the Monaco national anthem, during a ceremony honoring Joesphine Baker at the Monaco-Louis II Cemetery in Monaco, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021. France is inducting Missouri-born cabaret dancer Josephine Baker who was also a French World War II spy and civil rights activist into its Pantheon. She is the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France’s most revered luminaries. A coffin carrying soils from places where Baker made her mark will be deposited Tuesday inside the domed Pantheon monument overlooking the Left Bank of Paris. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)
Toward the end of her life, she ran into financial trouble, was evicted and lost her properties. She received support from Princess Grace of Monaco, the U.S.-born actress who offered Baker a place for her and her children to live.
Tuesday’s ceremony has closely been prepared with her family, and several relatives will be present, the Elysee said. A coffin carrying soils from the U.S., France and Monaco will be deposited inside the Pantheon. Her body will stay in Monaco at the request of her family.
Albert II, the prince of Monaco and Grace’s son, honored Baker as a “great lady” in a ceremony Monday at the cemetery where she is buried. Paraphrasing French poet Louis Aragon, he said Baker was French “not by birth, but by preference.”
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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FILE - Performer Josephine Baker strikes a pose during her Ziegfeld Follies performance of "The Conga" on the Winter Garden Theater stage in New York, Feb. 11, 1936. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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FILE - Performer Josephine Baker strikes a pose during her Ziegfeld Follies performance of "The Conga" on the Winter Garden Theater stage in New York, Feb. 11, 1936. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
PETER J. CARROLL
French cabaret star Josephine Baker models a glamorous dress during a private preview of the gowns and hats she will wear when she tours with E.N.S.A. shortly, at Jean Dresses, her dressmakers in Paris, France, in March 1945. (AP Photo/Peter J. Carroll)
PETER J. CARROLL
French cabaret star Josephine Baker models a glamorous dress during a private preview of the gowns and hats she will wear when she tours with E.N.S.A. shortly, at Jean Dresses, her dressmakers in Paris, France, in March 1945. (AP Photo/Peter J. Carroll)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
AP
Singer Josephine Baker poses in her dressing room at the Strand Theater in New York City on March 6, 1961. Baker is co-starring with French orchestra leader and husband, Jo Bouillion. Her last appearance in New York was 1937 in "The Ziegfeld Follies." (AP Photo)
AP
Singer Josephine Baker poses in her dressing room at the Strand Theater in New York City on March 6, 1961. Baker is co-starring with French orchestra leader and husband, Jo Bouillion. Her last appearance in New York was 1937 in "The Ziegfeld Follies." (AP Photo)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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FILE - In this file photo dated May 27, 1957, Entertainer Josephine Baker holds a rhinestone-studded microphone as she performs during her show "Paris, mes Amours" at the Olympia Music Hall in Paris, France. The remains of American-born singer and dancer Josephine Baker will be reinterred at the Pantheon monument in Paris, Le Parisien newspaper reported Sunday Aug. 22, 2021, that French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to bestow the honor. Josephine Baker is a World War II hero in France and will be the first Black woman to get the country’s highest honor. (AP Photo/File)
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FILE - In this file photo dated May 27, 1957, Entertainer Josephine Baker holds a rhinestone-studded microphone as she performs during her show "Paris, mes Amours" at the Olympia Music Hall in Paris, France. The remains of American-born singer and dancer Josephine Baker will be reinterred at the Pantheon monument in Paris, Le Parisien newspaper reported Sunday Aug. 22, 2021, that French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to bestow the honor. Josephine Baker is a World War II hero in France and will be the first Black woman to get the country’s highest honor. (AP Photo/File)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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Josephine Baker shows a basket of toys, as she arrived at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, on March 5, 1956. (AP Photo)
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Josephine Baker shows a basket of toys, as she arrived at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, on March 5, 1956. (AP Photo)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Anonymous
Dancer and singer Josephine Baker poses wearing a top hat, white tie and tails in this publicity photo as the bandleader in her review "La Joie de Paris" at the Casino de Paris, France, in December 1932. (AP Photo)
Anonymous
Dancer and singer Josephine Baker poses wearing a top hat, white tie and tails in this publicity photo as the bandleader in her review "La Joie de Paris" at the Casino de Paris, France, in December 1932. (AP Photo)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Pierre Godot
Josephine Baker sings on the opening night of her new night club on Dec. 31, 1955, at the Chateau des Milandes in central France. Baker and her musician husband Jo Bouillon have opened a nightclub in their home, where they also live with their adopted children. (AP Photo/Pierre Godot)
Pierre Godot
Josephine Baker sings on the opening night of her new night club on Dec. 31, 1955, at the Chateau des Milandes in central France. Baker and her musician husband Jo Bouillon have opened a nightclub in their home, where they also live with their adopted children. (AP Photo/Pierre Godot)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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Josephine Baker selecting toy animals for her six adopted children at Frankfurt's Rhein Main Airport, during a stop over as she returned from Berlin to Paris, on Aug. 4, 1954. (AP Photo)
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Josephine Baker selecting toy animals for her six adopted children at Frankfurt's Rhein Main Airport, during a stop over as she returned from Berlin to Paris, on Aug. 4, 1954. (AP Photo)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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Josephine Baker with patients at a American hospital in Paris, France, where she sang for French soldiers on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1939. (AP Photo)
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Josephine Baker with patients at a American hospital in Paris, France, where she sang for French soldiers on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1939. (AP Photo)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Heinrich Sanden Jr.
Well known American singer and dancer, Josephine Baker, who was in Berlin to play a leading role in a German film, on Aug. 3, 1954, was hostess to children, whom she treated with chocolate and cake at the West Berlin zoo restaurant. Josephine herself preferred Pilsner beer. Photo shows Josephine taking a big sip of ice cold Pilsner with a little boy on her left looking somewhat surprised. (AP Photo/Heinrich Sanden Jr.)
Heinrich Sanden Jr.
Well known American singer and dancer, Josephine Baker, who was in Berlin to play a leading role in a German film, on Aug. 3, 1954, was hostess to children, whom she treated with chocolate and cake at the West Berlin zoo restaurant. Josephine herself preferred Pilsner beer. Photo shows Josephine taking a big sip of ice cold Pilsner with a little boy on her left looking somewhat surprised. (AP Photo/Heinrich Sanden Jr.)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Peter Hillebrecht
Performer Josephine Baker on stage at the Filmball in Mainz, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1969. (AP Photo/Peter Hillebrecht)
Peter Hillebrecht
Performer Josephine Baker on stage at the Filmball in Mainz, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1969. (AP Photo/Peter Hillebrecht)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Peter Hillebrecht
Performer Josephine Baker on stage at the Filmball in Mainz, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1969. (AP Photo/Peter Hillebrecht)
Peter Hillebrecht
Performer Josephine Baker on stage at the Filmball in Mainz, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1969. (AP Photo/Peter Hillebrecht)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Peter Hillebrecht
Performer Josephine Baker on stage at the Filmball in Mainz, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1969. (AP Photo/Peter Hillebrecht)
Peter Hillebrecht
Performer Josephine Baker on stage at the Filmball in Mainz, Germany, on Feb. 1, 1969. (AP Photo/Peter Hillebrecht)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Claus Hampel
Josephine Baker, aged 64, at the Madame Ball in Munich, Germany, around Jan. 8, 1971, not only singing but also dancing the Charleston in front of her enthralled guests. (AP Photo/Claus Hampel)
Claus Hampel
Josephine Baker, aged 64, at the Madame Ball in Munich, Germany, around Jan. 8, 1971, not only singing but also dancing the Charleston in front of her enthralled guests. (AP Photo/Claus Hampel)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Pierre Godot
Josephine Baker performs on the floor of the cabaret she and husband Jo Bouillon opened at the Chateau des Milandes in central France on New Year's Eve. Photo likely dated Dec. 31, 1955. (AP Photo/Pierre Godot)
Pierre Godot
Josephine Baker performs on the floor of the cabaret she and husband Jo Bouillon opened at the Chateau des Milandes in central France on New Year's Eve. Photo likely dated Dec. 31, 1955. (AP Photo/Pierre Godot)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
Victor Boynton
French cabaret star Josephine Baker arrives at London Airport from Milan on Feb. 28, 1963, to perform at the opening of two restaurants in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Miss Baker who has 11 adopted children is accepting no fee. (AP Photo/Victor Boynton)
Victor Boynton
French cabaret star Josephine Baker arrives at London Airport from Milan on Feb. 28, 1963, to perform at the opening of two restaurants in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Miss Baker who has 11 adopted children is accepting no fee. (AP Photo/Victor Boynton)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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FILE - Charlie Chaplin congratulates entertainer Josephine Baker after her performance at the charity gala "Le Bal des Petits Lits Blancs," at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, on May 20, 1953. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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FILE - Charlie Chaplin congratulates entertainer Josephine Baker after her performance at the charity gala "Le Bal des Petits Lits Blancs," at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, on May 20, 1953. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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FILE - Josephine Baker with patients at a American hospital in Paris, France, where she sang for French soldiers on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1939. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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FILE - Josephine Baker with patients at a American hospital in Paris, France, where she sang for French soldiers on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1939. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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Black artist Josephine Baker honored at France’s Pantheon
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FILE- Actress Josephine Baker in her apartment at the Hotel Forresta near Stockholm, Sweden on Dec. 7, 1957, with three of her adopted children, Marianne, left, Koffi, center, and Brahim. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
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FILE- Actress Josephine Baker in her apartment at the Hotel Forresta near Stockholm, Sweden on Dec. 7, 1957, with three of her adopted children, Marianne, left, Koffi, center, and Brahim. France is inducting Josephine Baker – Missouri-born cabaret dancer, French Resistance fighter and civil rights leader – into its Pantheon, the first Black woman honored in the final resting place of France's most revered luminaries. (AP Photo, File)
