Josephine Baker – “The most sensational woman anybody ever saw. Or ever will.” ERNEST HEMMINGWAY – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
I celebrate ACHIEVEMENT EVERY DAY! WEDNESDAY’S “A Rainbow of Role Models,” I do not see race, skin color, religion, sex, attractiveness (ok, I do like beautiful ladies), age, or any other nonsense. I love learning from inspirational people that inspire me to drop MY EXCUSES and JUST DO IT! Role models who stretch my ambitions and model GIVING BACK!
There is dignity in achievement and success—in becoming a great factor in civilization.” Carter G. Woodson.
I hope you will share these short articles; perhaps a few people will be curious to learn more.
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
“The most sensational woman anybody ever saw. Or ever will.” – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
Josephine Baker stands out as a remarkable woman/role model.
Born in 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri, she overcame immense adversity and racism to become a renowned entertainer, civil rights activist, and international icon. Josephine Baker inspires future generations as she shattered barriers and fearlessly championed equality and empowerment.
A Dazzling Rise to Stardom:
Josephine Baker’s path to success was not easy, but her determination propelled her forward. After facing racial discrimination and poverty in her early years, she found comfort in dance and entertainment. As a child, she lived in cardboard shelters in the slums and danced on the street to make money. The street dancing turned into performing in a vaudeville act as she pestered a show manager for a role.
She traveled to New York for that show, and her career had begun. She began performing in small clubs and eventually caught the attention of audiences and critics alike with her electrifying performances in New York City’s Harlem Renaissance. Her talent, charisma, sensuality, and humor set her apart, leading to her breakthrough role in the Parisian revue “La Revue Nègre.”
A Global Icon and Cultural Ambassador:
While performing in New York was a good start, her big break came in Paris, where she moved in her late teens to leave the racism of America. In Paris, she thrived. Her dancing life found much success. And it was also while living in Europe that Josephine evolved her artistic career into singing and acting. Josephine continued to live in Europe. Even as World War II involved France, she chose to stay, joining the French Military Intelligence Agency. In her role with the agency, she used her entertainer status to travel around Europe. And with charm, she engaged others, collecting valuable information, often keeping notes in invisible ink on sheet music.
Josephine Baker became a sensation in France, captivating audiences with her uninhibited style and mesmerizing stage presence. She was celebrated for her provocative dances, including the legendary “Danse Sauvage,” and her iconic costume made of bananas. Josephine’s success extended beyond the stage, as she also succeeded in films, recording music, and writing. Her magnetic charm transcended borders, earning her the “Black Pearl” title and making her the first African American woman to achieve international acclaim.
Civil Rights Activism and Humanitarian Work:
She used her platform and popularity to advocate for civil rights and fight against racial segregation and discrimination. In the 1950s and 1960s, Baker actively participated in the civil rights movement in the United States. Ms. Baker refused to perform in segregated venues – a stance that helped drive integration.
After the war, Josephine took a more active role in the U.S. Civil Rights movement. She wrote articles about segregation, worked closely with NAACP, and became one of the few women to address the March on Washington in 1963, alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
During her years of working in the Civil Rights movement, Josephine began adopting children, calling her family the “Rainbow Tribe,” as her children were of different races and ethnicities.
A Champion of Equality and Empowerment:
Josephine Baker’s commitment to equality and empowerment was also evident in her personal life. She adopted twelve children from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, forming her “Rainbow Tribe.” This unconventional family reflected her belief in the power of love and acceptance to transcend societal divisions. Josephine’s commitment to fostering cultural understanding earned her the French military honor, the Croix de guerre, and the Légion d’honneur.
Legacy and Inspiration:
Josephine Baker’s impact resonates to this day. She broke down barriers for African American performers and paved the way for future generations of artists. Her boldness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice inspire individuals worldwide. Her extraordinary life story serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one can rise above, challenge the status quo, and make a lasting difference.
Conclusion:
Josephine passed away in Paris in 1975. France honored her with a state funeral; she was the only American-born woman to receive this honor. Her remarkable journey from a disadvantaged childhood to international stardom and her unwavering commitment to civil rights and humanitarian causes positions her as a remarkable role model for all. Josephine Baker’s legacy hopefully inspires you to embrace your unique talents, challenge societal norms, and strive for a better world. Her story reminds us that one person can make a difference and that change starts with individual actions.
WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU WANT TO READ NEXT? WHAT QUESTIONS CAN I ANSWER? UNTIL NEXT TIME!
LET’S MAKE SOME MONEY! CRYPTOCURRENCY ANYONE?
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE!
I GIVE BECAUSE I CARE!
St Jude Hospital: The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures and means of prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.https://www.stjude.org/
Wounded Warrior Project: An American charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services, and events for wounded veterans of the military https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Folds of Honor: Providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America’s first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten. https://foldsofhonor.org
Wilson’s No-Kill Animal Shelter: A N0-Kill shelter that is a top-rated non-profit. They compassionately care for all their animals. https://wcnkas.org
Tunnel To Towers: Since 9/11, we have been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. We are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America to Never Forget September 11, 2001. https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847/#!/donation/checkout
TRUST ME – YOU WILL LIKE THE BELOW POPULAR BLOGS!
RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS– TEACHER RAYMOND NELSON CREATES GENTLEMEN’S CLUB TO TEACH LIFE LESSONS TO BOYS WHO HAVE NO DADS AT HOME
“WHAT WE BECOME DEPENDS ON WHAT OUR FATHERS TEACH US AT ODD MOMENTS WHEN THEY AREN’T TRYING TO TEACH US”
DADS WHO RAISED ME TO BE MORE THAN I COULD BE!
FORGET WHITE RECKONING TO ADDRESS RACIAL INEQUALITY – WE NEED GOOD ECONOMIC POLICY!
DAD RAISED ME TO BE A MAN, NOT A BLACK MAN!
LET ME GET THIS RIGHT – BROWN PEOPLE ARE TOO STUPID TO BE PROFICIENT AT MATH, READING, AND WRITING.
SEEING YOURSELF IN YOUR ROLE MODELS IMPROVES YOUR ODDS OF SUCCESS! – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/?p=15921
EDWARD RUDOLPH {ED} BRADLEY, JR. – RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, MS. MARIE C BOLDEN, A 14-YEAR-OLD BLACK GIRL, WON THE FIRST NATIONAL SPELLING BEE! – A RAINBOW OF ROLE MODELS {WEDNESDAY SERIES}
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’s WHAT YOU GIVE!
YOUR GREATNESS IS NOT WHAT YOU HAVE; IT’S WHAT YOU GIVE!
NEW SERIES – CRITICAL THINKING – BY DR. JAMES LEEMANN
USING CRITICAL THINKING IN PURSUIT OF POST-HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION – CRITICAL THINKING SERIES – PART 2
TEENAGERS’ – SIX-FIGURE, LOW ROI COLLEGE LOANS – CAN HAVE LIFETIME CONSEQUENCES! CRITICAL THINKING SERIES PART 3: WHAT ARE THE UNIVERSAL STANDARDS OF THINKING?
CRITICAL THINKING SERIES PART 4: – A SELF ASSESSMENT OF YOUR LEVEL OF THINKING AND LEARNING
THINKING IS DRIVEN BY QUESTIONS, NOT ANSWERS – PART 5 CRITICAL THINKING SERIES: WHAT QUESTIONS DO THE BEST CRITICAL THINKERS ASK?
WHAT {DO YOU, AS A} CRITICAL THINKER, DO TO LEARN? – PART 6A – CRITICAL THINKING SERIES
WHAT DO YOU AS A CRITICAL THINKER DO TO LEARN – PART 6B – CRITICAL THINKING SERIES
WHAT HABITS DO CRITICAL THINKERS USE WHEN READING AND WRITING? PART 7A – CRITICAL THINKING SERIES
PART 7B: SUBSTANTIVE WRITING: WHAT HABITS DO CRITICAL THINKERS USE WHEN READING AND WRITING? – CRITICAL THINKING SERIES
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A FAIR-MINDED CRITICAL THINKER? – PART 8: CRITICAL THINKING SERIES
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DEAL WITH YOUR IRRATIONAL MIND? – CRITICAL THINKING SERIES – PART NINE (9)
WHAT STAGE ARE YOU IN CRITICAL THINKING DEVELOPMENT? – FINAL CRITICAL THINKING SERIES – PART 10
To Join Wealth Building Powers BLOG:
PLEASE SIGN UP TO FOLLOW ME BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL IN THE WORDPRESS BLOG PAGE SUBSCRIBE BOX!
Thank you to my followers and readers for your likes and comments. All comments, recommendations, and feedback are welcomed and utilized to improve this blog.
ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an N.C. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
