Alamy . com |
the struggle for black emancipation — and well into her friendship with Princess Grace , Josephine marched alongside Martin Luther King in the United States during the civil rights movement and during his memorable “ I have a dream ” speech .
The meeting of Josephine and Grace took place in the glamourous Stork Club restaurant in New York . Josephine Baker had returned to the States , where the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP ) named her the Woman of the Year . Ironically , Josephine ’ s visit to New York was marred by an incident : the Stork Club staff refused service to the famous dancer . Being a witness to the outrageous scene , Grace Kelly unceremoniously left the restaurant with the black star and never
|
|||||
|
Josephine Baker in 1936
JOSEPHINE BAKER
What connected the “ Black Pearl ” to the Principality ? How did it happen that so many places who wish to claim her as their own have bowed to the Principality ? Her birthplace was Missouri ; her global stardom , including New York , rocketed to the stars in Paris where she died soon after a concert performance . Yet she was laid to rest in Monaco — even though she has been granted the highest honour that the French nation and Paris can confer . Dressed in a French military uniform with the medals she received for her role as part
|
of the French Resistance during the war , this extraordinary event in the Principality is an honour that flowed from Princess Grace ’ s wishes for her friend .
These two Americans who had gained worldwide fame , had a strong friendship , which began in 1951 , when Grace , the future Princess of Monaco , bore the title of a rising star of Hollywood . Joséphine Baker had qualities that Princess Grace would have appreciated . As a French counter-espionage agent , the singer had used her music scores to pass on secret messages and took part in the Provence landings in 1944 . Josephine continued to fight , even after the war for women ’ s freedom . She took part in
|
Traditionally the members of the Grimaldi family are buried in St Nicolas Cathedral in Monaco-Ville . Grace Kelly , Princess of Monaco also rests in peace there , and her gravestone is always covered with roses , favourite flowers of this incredible woman . |
© Sylvie Ruau - Archives du Palais Princier de Monaco |