In 1951, the newly famous [Grace] 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.
First Night History 
Nice. GO GRACE KELLY! I’ve always liked her as an actress but it’s even better to find out she had good ethics, too.
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I’m not a devotee of her acting but these actions of hers easily trump everything else about her. I think she should be remembered for something like this rather than for marrying a prince or acting in Hollywood! But I guess it will still remain a little-known aspect of her life.
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That is quite a connection. I heard about the initial encounter, but I was unaware of the continued relationship.
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It was completely new to me and so much has been written about her marriage and her death that I felt it was important to publicise this aspect of her character. Thank you for your visit!
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A nice tribute to a lady who always seemed to have good character, in addition to her good looks.
Best wishes, Pete.
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She was never my favourite actress but my respect for her as a human being went up considerably when I read this on waldina’s site.
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I know what you mean Sarah, her presence never quite ‘made’ a film, but she did always seem very genuine in ‘real life’.
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Reblogged this on Rogues & Vagabonds.
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