KETC | Living St. Louis | Josephine Baker Postage Stamp

From KETC, LIVING ST. LOUIS Producer Patrick Murphy looks back on the life and career of Josephine Baker, the first African-American female to reach international stardom. Born in St. Louis in 1906, it was Baker's early years marked by poverty and transience that influenced her most. She lived in a racially divided neighborhood but would hang out in the entertainment district—watching performances that she could imitate on the streets for money. Baker's big break came when she moved to France and danced topless in a banana skirt. Despite her world-wide success, Baker used her celebrity status to break down racial barriers and focus on humanitarian efforts. In 2008, a postage stamp honoring Josephine Baker was revealed at the Sheldon Concert Hall.