In 1925, a young woman from St. Louis, Missouri boarded a ship bound for France. Within months, Joséphine Baker became a global sensation – her talent, charisma, and courage captivating audiences across Europe and redefining what it meant to be both an artist and a humanitarian.
Now, one hundred years later, a French-American team is coming together to honor her enduring legacy through the creation of the Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site in Le Vésinet, the Parisian suburb she once called home.
“I love Le Vésinet for the privacy of its villas, for the tranquil beauty of its countryside, so close to Paris…”
— Joséphine Baker, L’Intransigeant, August 31, 1930
Supported by the French-American Cultural Foundation and La Fondation pour le Vésinet, this initiative celebrates not only Joséphine’s extraordinary life but also the deep cultural connection between France and the United States – a bond that continues to inspire collaboration, creativity, and shared ideals.
Joséphine Baker: Artist, Activist, Humanitarian
Joséphine Baker was far more than a performer. She was a trailblazer who used her fame to champion equality, freedom, and humanity on both sides of the Atlantic.
After facing racial discrimination in the United States, she found artistic freedom and dignity in France – a country that would later honor her as a national hero. Her career blossomed in Paris, where she broke barriers as one of the first Black women to achieve international stardom.
During World War II, Joséphine risked her life as an “honorable correspondent” for the French Resistance, hiding secret intelligence in her sheet music written with invisible ink. She also earned her pilot’s license, serving as a flyer for the Red Cross and the French Air Force.
After the war, she devoted her energy to humanitarian work and civil rights, using her platform to advocate for equality. Her “Rainbow Tribe” – twelve adopted children of different nationalities and religions – embodied her vision of a world united in peace and mutual respect.
In 2021, Joséphine Baker became the first Black woman to be memorialized in France’s Panthéon, cementing her status as a symbol of liberty, courage, and connection between nations.
“Timeless Grace”: Bringing Her Story to Life in Le Vésinet
The Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site, titled Timeless Grace, will be installed in 2026 near Villa Beau-Chêne, her cherished home in Le Vésinet.
This public art installation will feature two stone benches with life-sized bronze sculptures created by American sculptor Jane DeDecker, inviting visitors to reflect on Joséphine’s remarkable journey:
➜ The informative bench, placed along the park’s main footpath, features sculpted objects symbolizing Joséphine’s life – her pilot goggles, sheet music, and a bouquet of flowers, each telling a story of courage, artistry, and resilience.
➜ The Joséphine bench, near Villa Beau-Chêne, portrays her in a moment of tranquility beside her beloved cheetah, Chiquita, offering a glimpse of her private world – joyful, imaginative, and profoundly human.
This installation will be both a celebration and an educational encounter, ensuring that new generations understand the impact of this extraordinary woman who bridged two cultures through her art, bravery, and compassion.
A Transatlantic Collaboration
The initiative is led by founder Alice Fennelly, sculptor Jane DeDecker, and a partnership between La Fondation pour le Vésinet and the French-American Cultural Foundation, with key collaboration from Brian Scott Bagley, internationally recognized expert on Joséphine Baker’s life and legacy.
Together, this French-American team embodies the very connection Joséphine herself represented – a bridge of friendship, creativity, and shared values that continue to unite our two nations.
As a French-American collaboration, the Joséphine Baker Commemorative Site depends on the generosity of individuals and organizations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Your support will help create a lasting tribute to one of the most inspiring figures of the 20th century – a woman who defied boundaries and built cultural bridges that endure to this day.
👉 Join us in honoring Joséphine Baker’s legacy. Donate today to bring Timeless Grace to life in Le Vésinet.