The UC Santa Barbara Undergraduate Journal of History

Josephine Baker and Eartha Kitt were Black female entertainers who found great success when they emigrated to Paris. They both sought asylum in France after feeling threatened by  racism in America

French citizens were obsessed with jazz, and continued to be into the 1970s. Even during the Great Depression, jazz musicians, who were only hired if they were Black made about $300 per week. One of the most talented of these jazz stars was Baker. Known predominantly for her iconic stage presence, Baker was beloved by the French. With her signature crossed eyes, high energy movements, and beaming smile, Baker graced stage after stage in France.

Kitt’s stage presence and her ability to sing in seven languages propelled her European career forward. She went from being too poor to recognize a banana to favoring beluga caviar. Of course, Kitt had ups and downs in France in the 1950s-1960s. She was also privy to a snide comment or two about the fact that she was mixed race. These obstacles only served to propel Kitt forward to be more outspoken in her advocacy for women and people of color.

Both Baker and Kitt were stars through and through. These women were icons that left a mark on two continents. Though they each faced significant hardship, they both prevailed. From their incredible talent, their glamor, their activism, both women have undoubtedly imprinted themselves in popular culture: French and American, past and present.