The guardian., 1951-06-16

ton of the American public that
this late review Of her very own
DAY" under NAACP sponsor
ship seems plausible.
The glamorous lady Is genu-
inely race conscious and her
stand against discrimination en-
dears her to colored people ev-
erywhere.
Josephine Baker is a talented
performer, a fayorite and in her
adopted country far more than
for the pleasure she gives in
"Cafe Society,"" She worked zeal
ously in the French underground
after the Nazi invasion of France
and was decorated by General
DeGaulle.
Too often our people with no
honorS, no particular talents
and no logical reasoning, leave
humble beginnings and race as
sociation behind in a mad battle
to be seen and numbered in
white circles. Not so with Miss
Baker who pleads for fair treat
ment of colored people at every
opportunity. And her doting
French husband and other ad-
mirers love her the more for
this penchant.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
If Miss Baker has heretofore
counted her reward meager for
the stand she has taken, GER
tainly the throngs standing In
the New York drizzle to cheer
her on that 10 Baker Sunday.
and the thousands who jammed
the events planned in her honor,
were proof of the esteem in
which she is held here In her
native land.
Josephine Baker Sunday be-
gan in a glare of flash bulbs as
the train from Boston groaned
to a stop on the 125th Street
platform in Harlem. A welcome
committee of friends and Of
ficials escorted the smiling en-
tertainer to banner draped cars
for the short drive to Hotel
Theresa. Petite and charming
Bessie Buchanan, chairman Of
Josephine Baker Day Commit
tee, came to Boston Saturday
night and personally escorted
Miss Baker, a friend of long
standing, back to New York.
She stepped off the train look
ing fresh and happy despite the
long round trip and the pros
pect of a long exhausting day
ahead.
At the first stop, Hotel Their
esa, Miss Baker was settled in
a tenth floor suite, but only
a short rest period preceded
her press conference. Editors
of French Journals as well as
many representatives Of maga-
zines, the daily press and col
ored weekly papers were given
lengthy interviews.
Promptly on schedule four
hundred guests sat in the lovely
Skyline Room at the Theresa
(another four hundred admir-
ers could not be Seated).
Lillian Sharpe Hunter, whose
many successful endeavors in
New York have received national
recognition and praise, was in
charge Of the luncheon. She
was ably assisted by Louise Nor
ris. prominent civic and church
worker. A large committee OF
beautifully gowned, fur draped,
orchid corsaged ladies were on
hand TO make the seating OF
the large group smooth and
orderly.
The Hon. Hubert T. Delaney
presided at the luncheon, and
many prominent citizens paid
glowing tributes to the honorable
guest.
oficial greetings from the
New York NAA.CP. we're by
Lindsey White, president Of the
New York branch, and DR.. Louis
T. Wright. chairman Of the
Board Of Directors, spoke for the
National body.
JOS husband, NJ. Bouillion,
had made a hurried trip from
Paris to be a part Of the fes-
tiyities and was as delighted and
thrilled at it all as was the
Lady Of the Day"
When Miss Baker responded
to the many words Of praise.
it was with humility and through
tears. Il wish my mother could
be here" she said. My mother
who scrubbed floors to give her
children an education. 10 prom
ised to continue to fight color
ton. Do pray and write to him.