Singer Josephine Baker was the toast of Paris. She was a spy for the French Resistance during WWII & secured passports for Jewish citizens fleeing Nazi territory.
Her marriage to a Jewish businessman drew the attn. of Hermann Göring, who poisoned her. Members of the Fr. Resistance rescued her; she recovered.
She was awarded the Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre & the Rosette of the Resistance. In 2021, she was inducted into Panthéon, France's hallowed tomb of heroes. #BlackFriday
She certainly did. Baker was one of the speakers at the 1963 March on Washington.
In her speech, one of the things Baker said:
I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad.
@Saba
Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe were friends.
When Monroe learned Fitzgerald couldn't get a gig at the Mocambo in L.A., she made a deal with the manage. During Fitzgerald's run, she'd sit up front & bring other celebrities.
On opening night, Monroe brought along Frank Sinatra & Judy Garland. Fitzgerald's run was a hit & the owner added another week to her contract.
Sharon Gibson Morgan
GHAR