Introduction – Josephine Baker “aka” Freda Josephine Mcdonald was a dancer and singer who was very popular in France during the 1920s. She also dedicated much of her life to fighting racism Introductory statement – Josephine fantasized of being one of those people on the big stage. Still in her elementary years she began dancing part-time in a chorus line. She turned sixteen and joined a traveling troupe. She later appeared in a Broadway show called Chocolate Dandies. This was only the beginning for Josephine’s career. . Thesis statement: _Well Known French Singer___________________ Body First Supporting Idea (Topic Sentence): Josephine was born June 3rd 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Josephine was the eldest child of Louis and Cary (Smith)
Through movie roles and songs the starlette used her voice to make movements for African American civil rights.
Among many of Josephine’s songs comes the song Don’t Touch Me Tomato, which seemed to be one of her more popular tunes. As many of the information on the nature of the song is difficult to find, I was able to figure out that Don’t Touch Me Tomato was composed by Jo Bouillon and performed by Josephine Baker and Peter Kreuder and his Orchestra. This song was considered under the genre of International Vocal and under the style of Vocal Pop. A recording of the song can be listened to using the URL found in the works-cited page at the end of the paper (Josephine Baker – Don’t Touch Me
In 1923, Josephine landed a role in the Musical Shuffle along as member of the chorus, and the Comic Touch she brought to the part made her popular with audiences. Soon after Josephine moved to New York and was soon performing in Chocolate Dandies along with Ethal Waters in the Floor Show of The Plantation Club, where she became a crowd favorite. In 1925 Josephine traveled to Paris to perform in La Revue Negre at Theatre Des
She did not have an easy time at work, she was frightened and hostile. While at work she experienced bullying and abuse from one of her employees who would injure her for not completing her chores correctly. After a brutal and bloody riot that she witnessed in her city of St. Louis, Josephine packed her belongings and left for good. She went many night without shelter and food, and in desperation for survival she looked to performing street dances. The street dances paid off and she was recruited to play on the chorus line in St. Louis
Draft: A Diverse Roster of History’s Most Influential Women #WomensHistoryMonth each March gives us a great time to reflect on some of the world’s most influential women. Below, we’ve highlighted some of those women who our staff feel have made a great impact and who inspire them today in the multicultural communications work they do. These amazing women with different nationalities, backgrounds, and pathways to leadership have devoted themselves to their communities thus changing the world.
Simone began recording her music in the 50s under the Bethlehem label, releasing her first full album in 1957, which featured "Plain Gold Ring" and the title track "Little Girl Blue." It also included her one and only Top 20 pop hit with her version of "I Loves You Porgy" from the George and Ira Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess. Under different labels, Simone released a bevy of albums from the late '50s throughout the '60s and early '70s, including records like The Amazing Nina Simone (1959), Nina Simone Sings Ellington! (1962), Wild Is the Wind (1966) and Silk and Soul (1967). She also made cover songs of popular music, eventually putting her own spin on such songs as Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun.
And I said to myself, My God, I am Josephine, and if they do this to me, what do they do to the other people in America?” In France, she didn’t really face racial discrimination, and realized how big of a problem it was in America. She also mentions how she is Josephine Baker, an entertainer who earned fame and fortune in Paris. However, she still faced a lot of discrimination, leading her to wonder how much worse the treatment was in America for other people of color.
People make history and history makes an impact on the world; Ella Baker did just that. Never putting herself at the center of attention, Baker’s main involvements in history include the establishment of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, working as a director of branches for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and lastly, forming meetings for the people from the Greensboro sit-ins that transformed into the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee (SNCC). Although unable to face any grave consequences, Bakers mainly impact on history was during the Civil Rights era from 1931-1986. Baker was against segregation at the time when there was racial discrimination of African Americans and minorities.
It was around this time that Josephine first took up dancing, honing her skills, both in clubs and in street performances, by 1919 she was touring the United States with the Jones Family Band and the Dixie Steppers performing comedic skits. By 1921 she married her second husband, Willie Baker whose name she obtained even after they divorced years later. In 1925, France’s had an obsession with American jazz and all things
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells the story of Henrietta, an African-American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line. Told through the eyes of her daughter, Deborah Lacks, aided by journalist Rebecca Skloot. Deborah wanted to learn about her mother, and to understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever. It is a story of medical arrogance and triumph, race, poverty and deep friendship between the unlikeliest people. There had been many books published about Henrietta’s cells, but nothing about Henrietta’s personality, experiences, feeling, life style etc.
Because of this, and despite her “gawky and unkempt” appearance, he gave her the opportunity to sing with his band at a dance at Yale University as a test run. Webb was quoted for saying that “if the kids like her, she stays”. She was a raging success and true to his promise, Chick hired Ella to travel with the band. She recorded “Love and Kisses” with the band in 1935 and was soon a regular artist at the Savoy, one of Harlem’s hottest nightclubs. It didn’t take too long for Ella to emerge from the shadows and become a star attraction coming out with major hits such as her first number one single, “A-tisket, A-tasket”.
Throughout her career, “Mills earned a reputation for her wondrous, high-pitched voice, unique dance movements and comedic timing that allowed her to become an unparalleled force during the Harlem Renaissance. With Mills quite aware of the racial dynamics of the day and wishing to make a difference, she also served as an icon for African-American performers and audiences of all backgrounds.” (Bio.) Mills was well recognized for amazing talents, and became more popular as she starred in “Shuffle Along”, “Plantation Revenue”, and “Blackbirds”. Starring in mostly musicals, Mills was recognized more for her beautiful voice, and was a huge star in Britain by 1926.
Although some people might argue that Shirley Chisholm does not demonstrate leadership qualities, a closer examination proves that the former congresswoman was a strong leader because of her independence, perseverance,and willingness to take risks. Shirley Chisholm is a great leader because she blazed a trail by being the first African American Congresswoman. For example, “Chisholm indulged her maverick nature in a spectacular gesture. She became the first black woman to run for president” (Morin pg1).This proves that she was the first black individual in her field to run for president so this makes her a trailblazer because all leaders should possess this for the reason that no leader can lead from behind.
Billie Holiday is one of the most influential jazz singers of her time. Her attitude, determination and most of all her music inspired artists throughout time and inspired major social change. Throughout her lifetime she explored the world of jazz, her identity, and how far the limits of her talent would take her. She exchanged her poor life, full of drugs and scandal for a life of performing the arts and showcasing her talents and abilities. Her incredible determination led her to do what she loved regardless of what anyone thought , which led to her inciting major social exchange; moving black suffering into white consciousness.
“It [the Harlem Renaissance] was a time of black individualism, a time marked by a vast array of characters whose uniqueness challenged the traditional inability of white Americans to differentiate between blacks.” (Clement Alexander Price). Price’s mentality describes the tradition of American society persecuting African Americans. This reference to tradition forces the audience to consider how this persecution began. African Americans were abducted and forced into slavery.