Friendship With Josephine Baker
In 1951, the newly famous Kelly took a bold stand against a racist incident involving Black American expatriate singer/dancer Josephine Baker, when Sherman Billingsley's Stork Club in New York refused Baker as a customer. Kelly, who was dining at the club when this happened, was so disgusted that she rushed over to Baker (whom she had never met), took her by the arm, and stormed out with her entire party, vowing never to return (and she never did). The two women became close friends after that night. A significant testament to their close friendship was made evident when Baker was near bankruptcy, and was offered a villa and financial assistance by Kelly (who by that time had become The Princess of Monaco) and her husband Rainier III of Monaco. The princess also encouraged Baker to return to performing and financed Baker's triumphant comeback in 1975, attending the opening night's performance. When Baker died, the Princess secured her burial in Monaco.
Read more about this topic: Grace Kelly
Famous quotes containing the words friendship with, friendship and/or baker:
“A woman may very well form a friendship with a man, but for this to endure, it must be assisted by a little physical antipathy.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“Ought we to smile,
Perhaps make friends? No: in the race for seats
You’re best alone. Friendship is not worth while.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“Give up the belief that mind is, even temporarily, compressed within the skull, and you will quickly become more manly or womanly. You will understand yourself and your Maker better than before.”
—Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910)