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An African American in Paris

Five years ago, I wrote a blog on the life of Josephine Baker and in particular, her resistance activities during World War II. Most of you probably have never read that blog so I decided to rewrite the blog in an expanded format along with additional images. However, there is another reason I decided to publish the “new” blog at this particular time.

Several weeks ago, President Emmanuel Macron authorized Josephine to be inducted into the Panthéon⏤only the French president can choose who enters the Panthéon. She is the fifth woman to be honored at this hallowed mausoleum for French icons and heroes. (A sixth woman is interned next to her husband who was inducted on his merits.) Click here to learn more about the Panthéon.

Interior of the Panthéon. Sculpture honoring the French Revolution. Photo by Dan Owen (c. 2013). Courtesy of Dan Owen.
Interior of the Panthéon. Sculpture honoring the French Revolution. Photo by Dan Owen (c. 2013). Courtesy of Dan Owen.

If this is your first introduction to Josephine Baker, I am confident that after reading her story, you will concur with President Macron’s decision.

Josephine Baker, singer. Photo by anonymous (c. 1930s). Author’s collection.
Josephine Baker, singer. Photo by anonymous (c. 1930s). Author’s collection.

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The Singing Résistant

This is a “brief” excerpt from an interview conducted by Mike Russert and Wayne Clark for the New York State Military Museum. They interviewed Sonia Malkine (1923−2014) on 18 January 2002. Sonia was a résistant in France during the German Occupation and these are some of her recollections as a teenager fighting the Nazis. At the end of this lengthy, albeit abbreviated interview, I will recap Sonia’s life story including, her career as a folk singer⏤so, hang in here with me. I will provide you with a link to the full interview⏤it is well worth your time to read the full interview.

Sonia Malkine performing at the 1970 Florida Folk Festival in White Springs. Photo by anonymous (c. 1970). Florida Memory. State Library and Archives of Florida. PD-Expired copyright. Wikimedia Commons.
Sonia Malkine performing at the 1970 Florida Folk Festival in White Springs. Photo by anonymous (c. 1970). Florida Memory. State Library and Archives of Florida. PD-Expired copyright. Wikimedia Commons.

Q: Today we are interviewing Sonia Malkine. It is January 18th, 2002. We’re in Shady, New York. Ms. Malkine, where were you born?

A: I was born in Paris. Read More The Singing Résistant