Prior to World War II, Josephine Baker was a music-hall diva renowned for her singing and dancing, her beauty and sexuality; she was the highest-paid female performer in Europe. When the Nazis seized her adopted city, Paris, she was banned from the stage. Yet instead of returning to America, she vowed to stay and to fight the Nazi evil. Overnight, she went from performer to Resistance spy.
Join us for a tantalizing conversation about Baker with author Damien Lewis and former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez. Lewis has uncovered little known history about the famous singer’s life in his new book Agent Josephine: American Beauty, French Hero, British Spy. Lewis will share the new historical material, including previously undisclosed letters and journals, he has unearthed that upend the conventional story of the “Bronze Venus.” Mendez is a longtime admirer and champion of Baker’s spy work and heroism. Discover how Baker became a hero of the three countries in whose name she served—the US, France, and Britain--and fully deserving of her unique place in the French Panthéon.
Following the discussion, you’ll be able to ask questions via our online platform.
Auto-generated closed captioning will be available for this program.
