Two days later, Josephine was found in her bed, surrounded by newspapers praising her last performance. She had slipped into a coma after being stricken by a massive cerebral hemorrhage. She never regained consciousness, and died on April 12 at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, age 68. Her funeral was held at L'Église de la Madeleine, preceded by a large procession of more than 20,000 people come to pay their respects. She received full French military honors—the first American woman to receive such recognition. She now rests at the Cimetiére de Monaco.
The one that was once called an ugly ragamuffin went on to become one of the world's first sex symbols, whose style continues to influence fashion today. She was a beautiful and powerful woman, who never gave up, confronting even the most horrifying adversity. She is remem-bered as a hero, civil rights activist, as well as one of the greatest enter-tainers. Many homages have been paid to her as she still fascinates us, many more will be paid as she will remain a symbol of courage.
47 | Ceres Magazine | Oct/Nov 2015
La Place Joséphine Baker in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris was named in her honor.
She has been inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame, and on 29 March 1995, into the Hall of Famous Missourians.
The Piscine Joséphine Baker is a swimming pool along the banks of the Seine in Paris named for her.
Two of Baker's sons, Jean-Claude and Jarry (Jari), grew up to go into business together, running the restaurant Chez Josephine on Theatre Row, 42nd Street, New York. It celebrates Baker's life and works.
Château des Milandes, Josephine Baker's home where she raised her twelve children, is open to the public and displays her stage outfits including her banana skirts, family photographs and documents, as well as her Legion of Honour medal.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) named May 20 Josephine Baker Day in honor of her efforts.
Legacy
SOURCES:
http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/josephine-baker.html
http://www.publictheater.org/en/Public-Theater-Season/Josephine-and-I/
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/bakerjosephine/p/josephine baker.htm
http://www.biography.com/people/josephine-baker-9195959#synopsis
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/josephine_baker/biography
http://www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001927/bio
http://theredlist.com/wiki-2-24-525-529-view-the-one-profile-josephine-baker.html
http://whatzhotandnot.com/25317/
http://liberatedinparis.blogspot.com/2012/03/entertainer.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josephine_Baker#Civil_rights_activism
http://mentalfloss.com/article/23148/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-josephine-baker
http://frenchgirlinseattle.blogspot.com/2011/08/extraordinary-life-of-josephine-baker.html
http://www.fncv.com/biblio/grand_combattant/baker-josephine/index.html
Poster for Bobino, 1975.
Josephine Baker and Joe Alex, opening night of "La Revue Negre," Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris, 1925.