Missouri History Museum

Performer. Dancer. World War II spy. St. Louisan. 

Josephine Baker holds many titles.

Now, she’s the first Black woman, and first American-born person memorialized in France’s Panthéon, the country’s highest honor.

While Baker was honored in Paris Tuesday, the commemoration continues in St. Louis.

A bedazzled outfit worn by Josephine Baker radiates in Missouri’s History Museum at Forest Park, yet it’s Baker’s spirit shining through.

“Josephine Baker is definitely an iconic person,” said Lindsay Newton, the museum’s director of education and community engagement. “It’s a really high honor. It’s really special to us and honor today in Paris and we happen to have the St. Louis Sound exhibit that tells her story.”

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