Women in Black History: Entertainers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Ogletree
  • 6th Communications Squadron
'You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart' -anonymous

Josephine Baker
Ernest Hemingway called her "the most sensational woman anyone ever saw," Josephine Baker was truly a world class entertainer. Born as Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, Miss., Josephine Baker was a dancer, singer, and actress who acclaimed fame in her adopted homeland of France.

Josephine Baker became the first African American woman to star in a major motion picture and to integrate an American concert hall. Additionally, Baker was affiliated and made significant contributions to the Civil Rights movement and assisted the French Resistance during World War II. Josephine Baker was the first American-born woman to receive the "Croix de Guerre," a major French military honor.

Katherine Dunham
The Washington Post called her, "Dances, Katherine the Great." Renowned throughout Europe and Latin America, as well as, popular in the United States, Katherine Dunham was the "Matriarch of Black Dance." Her vivid blending of culture along with her artistic genre of dance in the early 1930's created groundbreaking forms of movement, established black dance as an art form. She paved the way for other notables of dance such as, Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theatre, and Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theatre of Harlem to name a few.

For over 30 years, she maintained the Katherine Dunham Dance Company near Times Square in New York City, the only self supported American black dance troupe. Katherine Dunham also choreographed over 90 individual dances performed in Broadway productions such as Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather.

Not only did these women play pivotal roles in the dance and entertainment industries, but were also activists, authors, educators, as well as political figures. The duo also shared their gifts and talents that inspired others and opened the doors to the artistry of dance.