Tessa Quinn
Josephine Baker was born on June 3, 1906, at the Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Her birth name was Freda Josephine McDonald, and her parents were Carrie McDonald and Eddie Carson. Baker's father abandoned the family shortly after her birth, leaving her mother, a washerwoman, to raise her. Baker grew up in poverty and had to work from a young age to support her family. Despite these challenges, she pursued her passion for dancing and went on to become one of the most celebrated performers of her time, achieving worldwide fame and recognition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Hospital | Female Hospital, St. Louis |
| Address | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Date of Admission | May 3, 1906 |
| Date of Discharge | June 17, 1906 |
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What You'll Learn
- Josephine Baker's mother was admitted to an exclusively white Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri
- Carrie McDonald was admitted to the hospital six weeks before Josephine Baker's birth
- Josephine Baker was born two weeks early
- Josephine Baker was born at the same hospital where her mother was admitted
- Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri
Josephine Baker's mother was admitted to an exclusively white Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri
Josephine Baker, born Freda Josephine McDonald, came into the world on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her birth story is intimately tied to the Female Hospital in St. Louis, an exclusively white institution, where her mother, Carrie McDonald, was admitted as a pregnant woman.
Carrie McDonald, a washerwoman with dreams of becoming a music-hall dancer, found herself at the Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, in the months leading up to Josephine's birth. On May 3, 1906, she was admitted to the hospital, which exclusively served white patients. This was an unusual setting for a black woman of that era to give birth, as they typically gave birth at home with the assistance of a midwife.
Carrie remained in the hospital for over six weeks, which was an extended stay for the time. During this period, she was diagnosed as pregnant and awaited the arrival of her child. Finally, on June 3, 1906, Freda Josephine McDonald, who would later become the iconic Josephine Baker, was born. Josephine's father, Eddie Carson, a vaudeville drummer, was identified as "Edw" on the birth certificate. He abandoned Carrie and Josephine shortly after the birth, leaving them to navigate life without his support.
The Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, played a pivotal role in Josephine Baker's life story, as it was the place where her mother sought medical care during pregnancy and ultimately gave birth to her. Josephine's early life was marked by challenges, including her father's absence and the family's financial struggles. Despite these obstacles, Josephine went on to become one of the most celebrated performers in France and across Europe, advocating for racial equality and captivating audiences with her talent and charisma.
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Carrie McDonald was admitted to the hospital six weeks before Josephine Baker's birth
Josephine Baker, born Freda Josephine McDonald, was born on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother, Carrie McDonald, was admitted to the Female Hospital in St. Louis six weeks before Josephine's birth. This hospital exclusively served white patients, and it was uncommon at the time for a Black woman to give birth there, rather than at home with the help of a midwife. Carrie was admitted on May 3, 1906, and discharged on June 17, two weeks after giving birth to Josephine.
Carrie McDonald was a washerwoman who had dreams of becoming a music-hall dancer. Josephine's father, Eddie Carson, was a vaudeville drummer who abandoned the family shortly after Josephine's birth. Carrie remarried soon after, and had several more children. Josephine grew up in poverty and had to work from a young age to support her family. At the age of eight, she took on jobs such as cleaning houses and babysitting for wealthy families.
Josephine's early life was marked by hardship, but she discovered a love of dance and performance that would change her life. By the age of sixteen, she was performing in a touring show based in Philadelphia, where her grandmother lived. In 1921, she married Willie Baker, whose surname she kept even after their separation. In 1923, she joined the chorus of the musical Shuffle Along, and soon after moved to New York City, where she performed in Chocolate Dandies and the floor show of the Plantation Club.
In 1925, Josephine Baker moved to Paris, France, where she would become an international star. She performed at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in La Revue Nègre and introduced her "danse sauvage" to French audiences. Her performances captivated Paris, and she soon became one of the highest-paid performers in Europe. Josephine Baker's career and life story embody a remarkable journey from the Female Hospital in St. Louis, where her mother was admitted six weeks before her birth, to the world's stage, where she left an indelible mark as an entertainer and civil rights advocate.
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Josephine Baker was born two weeks early
Despite the challenges of her early life, Josephine discovered a love of dance and performance. She would sometimes dance on the street corners of St. Louis for money and later found work in local vaudeville shows. At the age of sixteen, she joined a touring dance troupe from Philadelphia, marking the beginning of her career as a performer.
It is unclear exactly which hospital Josephine Baker was born in, but records indicate that her mother, Carrie McDonald, was admitted to the Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 3, 1906. Carrie was pregnant at the time and was discharged on June 17, having given birth to Josephine two weeks earlier. It is unusual that Carrie, a black woman of that time, would have given birth in a hospital, as it was more common for women to give birth at home with the assistance of a midwife.
The Female Hospital in St. Louis was exclusively white, which may have been a factor in Carrie's decision to give birth there. However, it is also possible that she or the baby experienced complications that required a hospital stay. Unfortunately, there is a lack of detailed information available specifically about the circumstances of Josephine Baker's birth and the hospital where she was born.
What is known is that Josephine Baker went on to become an internationally renowned entertainer and a pioneering figure in the fight for racial equality. She captivated audiences with her performances in Europe, primarily in France, and became one of the most successful entertainers of her time.
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Josephine Baker was born at the same hospital where her mother was admitted
Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States. She came into the world on June 3, 1906, at the Female Hospital in St. Louis, an exclusively white institution. Notably, Baker's mother, Carrie McDonald, was admitted to this same hospital on May 3, 1906, diagnosed as pregnant, and remained there until her discharge on June 17, two weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Freda J. McDonald (Josephine Baker).
The circumstances surrounding Baker's birth are quite intriguing. Records from the city of St. Louis reveal that her mother, Carrie McDonald, was admitted to the Female Hospital, which was exclusively for white patients. This was unusual given that black women of that era typically gave birth at home with the assistance of a midwife. Furthermore, Baker's father, Eddie Carson, abandoned the family shortly after her birth, leaving Carrie to raise Josephine and her future siblings alone.
Carrie worked diligently as a washerwoman to support her growing family, but they often faced hunger. From a young age, Josephine contributed to the family's income by working as a servant in wealthy households and as a waitress. Despite the challenges, Josephine discovered a passion for dance and began performing on the street corners of St. Louis for money. This marked the beginning of her journey to becoming a renowned entertainer.
Josephine Baker's birth at the Female Hospital in St. Louis holds significance not only because it was the same hospital where her mother was admitted, but also because it was a space predominantly reserved for white individuals during a time of racial segregation in the United States. This detail sheds light on the social and cultural context of early 20th-century America and the unique circumstances surrounding Baker's entry into the world.
Baker's life and career would go on to break barriers and challenge societal norms. She rose to international stardom, primarily in Europe, as a dancer, singer, and actress. Her performances captivated audiences and defied racial stereotypes, earning her the admiration of cultural icons and the status of one of the highest-paid performers in Europe. Through her talent and perseverance, Baker not only achieved tremendous success but also became a symbol of the beauty and vitality of Black American culture, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and the fight for civil rights.
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Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri
Baker grew up facing poverty and hardship. From the ages of eight to ten, she was out of school and working to help support her family. She took on jobs such as cleaning houses and babysitting for wealthy families. At the age of sixteen, she began dancing in a touring show based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of her journey to becoming a celebrated performer.
St. Louis, Missouri, played a significant role in Baker's early life and career. She was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and the Hall of Famous Missourians, honouring her achievements and her roots in the state. Baker's impact extended far beyond her birthplace, as she became a renowned entertainer and made her mark in Paris, France.
Her career centred primarily on Europe, especially France, where she captivated audiences with her dancing, singing, and acting. Baker's talent, charisma, and advocacy for racial equality brought her worldwide recognition, and she remains an iconic figure in the history of entertainment and civil rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Josephine Baker was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States.
Josephine Baker was born in the Female Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Female Hospital was an exclusively white hospital.
Josephine Baker's mother was Carrie McDonald.
Carrie McDonald was admitted to the hospital on May 3, 1906, and discharged on June 17, 1906, even though her baby was born on June 3, 1906.
