#chocolae

Roasted Banana Ice Cream with Chocolate Madeleines 

Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1906.  At 15, after dancing on the streets to make money, she moved to NYC to perform with a dance troop. At 19, Baker visited Paris and became an instant sensation for her dancing and her famous costume made up of a skirt of artificial bananas. While she performed for mostly white audiences, Baker proudly incorporated African themes and style. Ernest Hemingway called Baker “the most sensational woman anyone ever saw.” 

During WWII, Baker utilized her fame and the misconception that she favored the Axis powers to spy for her adopted country, France. As she toured around Europe, Baker carried secret messages written in invisible ink on sheet music. Baker mingled with high-ranking military officials at parties and performances, gathering important information without any suspicion. She also housed French citizens who were part of the Resistance in her chateau in the South of France. After the war, Baker received medals of honor and she began to incorporate more serious music and themes into her shows. 

When she returned to the U.S. on tour, Baker refused to dance in front of segregated audiences, forcing club owners to integrate her shows.  Due to Communist-sympathy rumors, Baker was forced to return to France and could not visit the States for almost 10 years. While in France, Baker supported the Civil Rights Movement and worked with the NAACP. She was the only official female speaker at the 1963 March on Washington.