The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Click the froggy if you can!
Another tribute for Black History Month. 😀
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
LA VAILLANCE
Pride filled Deborah as she put the finishing touches on her fifteen-year-old granddaughter’s costume. “You’ll be the spittin’ image of the courageous lady you’re named for. She was about your age when she danced her way out of St. Louis.”
Josie slipped into the sparkly garment. “Was she pretty?”
“Gorgeous. Mama saw her in the Ziegfeld follies in 1936. I got to see her in Miami in 1951. First time I ever sat next to a white lady. Miss Josephine Baker was my idol—black, rich and spoke French.”
“Tell me more, Grandma.”
“Sorry, sugar, Rochelle’s run out of words.”
***
Josephine Baker was a woman who defied being summed up in 100 words. At the age of 20 she took Paris by storm and starred in three French motion pictures. She spied for the French resistance and performed for the Allied troops in WWII. In 1963 she marched on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Denied natural offspring, she adopted twelve children of different nationalities and races, calling them her rainbow tribe.
CLICK HERE to watch a short video of her life.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I loved the idea of running out of words
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Dear Neil,
Josephine’s story is one that couldn’t be distilled to 100 words. Glad my solution worked. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely biographical story about Josephine Baker, Rochelle. She was quite an accomplished woman. Well done. Also, I loved the frog. 🙂 —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Josephine’s story is too much for 100 words, but I wanted to pay her homage. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ms Baker was indeed a remarkable lady, sadly never appreciated by white America in the way she was in France, where she was a Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur, the highest military and civilian award.
Her anti-segregation stance was even more courageous given how much it harmed her career in the USA.
Bien fait, m’lady!
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Dear CE,
It’s sad how many American entertainers, black and Asian, had to go to France to find acceptance and equality…and fame. doesn’t say much for all Americans being equal, does it?
Merci, kind sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A woman who was born ahead of her times. Her life must have been fascinating.
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No doubt, Colline. Fascinating and at times, challenging.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Final sentence sums it up. haha. How many times have we as writers been there?
Sounds like an amazing woman.
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Dear Tanille,
Sometimes a writer has to go there. Josephine Baker’s story is too much to cram into 100 words, 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ohhhh I wonder if I’ve made a mistake, with mine? Did I read somewhere about ‘Fourth wall’ ??? Got so stoked by this one, loved the pic and idea, went for it. Thankyou for this beautiful idea, though I didn’t do any black history either? https://innerdialects.home.blog/2020/02/27/where-i-saw-you/
let me know.
Best wishes,
RN
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Whoa, I confused your post & anothers’ with rules! Beautiful story here, thank you for the brilliance.
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Dear RN,
It does look like you might have confused the rules. There are so many fun prompt challenges, aren’t they? Although I don’t see where your story violated any FF rules. As for Black History…that’s the theme I chose for my particular story. I only choose the photo and ask that everyone stay within the parameters of 100 words.
On that note, welcome to Friday Fictioneers. And thank you re my story. 😀 Half the fun of this challenge is the relationships built as we read and comment on one another’s stories.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like a life worthy of a biopic longer than we are allowed to give!
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Dear Iain,
A biopic was made about her in 1991 with Lynn Whitfield as JB. Haven’t seen it. But worthy the lady was. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just watched the movie yesterday on You Tube. Actually very good. 😀 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maVPkmI11D4&t=6s
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I’m going to have to learn more about this woman, from a source that isn’t limited to 100 words 🙂 I don’t remember hearing about her before, which is truly a shame. Thanks for introducing me to her, Rochelle.
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Dear Linda,
You’re most welcome. You can click the link I provided at the bottom of the page. Here’s another documentary that goes into greater detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggb_wGTvZoU&t=2591s She was an amazing woman. Too much to cram into 100 words. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did watch the video. Loved her energy!
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Great vignette. I’ve seen several animations featuring the Boa Dance, most notably the Triplets of Belleville. She was a stunning pioneer, one of the many black artists who left the racism of the US behind as well as they could. The US is still as racist as it ever was, sadly. The irony of black soldiers who fought fascist racism in a segregated army comes immediately to mind.
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Dear Josh,
So true about the racism. I don’t believe any one of us can say we don’t see color or ethnicity. However, I’d like to think there are those of us who appreciate our differences. I’ll stop there and say thank you re my vignette. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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best last line ever 😉 She was a remarkable woman. It seems the US had a habit of driving talented women of color from our shores…
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Dear Trent,
I’m not sure about now, but the US certainly did drive anyone but the whites away to find their niche. Sad commentary on American history…the land of the free and the home of the brave (as long as you’re a WASP). Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is a sad commentary on our country, even into the 50s and 60s with artists like Nina Simone.
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I agree, Trent. 😦
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Great story and love your ending. I enjoyed the link and video although I knew most of it. She was an extremely talented lady and brave beyond words. She was ahead of her times for sure, and a role model for many causes. You just keep on educating us Mrs. Wordsmith.
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Thank you for the encouragement, m’luv.
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Loved the ending – really made me smile!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
Your comment makes me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Another brilliant portrayal of a wonderful talent not appreciated in her own home country – until they had no choice….
She was something else!
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’ve had the best time bouncing around Wikipedia and documentaries. So many fascinating people who, like Josephine, were dissed by history. She was something else indeed. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa appreciative hugs,
Rochelle
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I just love these…
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😘🍷😁
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🍷🍷😘
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What a woman! Your story exemplifies her courage and positive approach to life with the stories about making her career in France, and her adopted ‘rainbow tribe’. But even more telling is your subtle “first time I ever sat next to a white lady” which was, of course, a right partly won by Josephine. It’s little details like that that make you such a good writer. I also liked the way the granddaughter was named Josie, presumably for Josephine.
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Dear Penny,
Your comments mean a lot to me. I appreciate the way you caught those deliberate little nuggets I want the reader to catch. 😀 High praise that you did. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fascinating lady, so pleased that you chose her to write about
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Thank you, Mike.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was a legend. Well told as ever.
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Thank you, LIz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yet another fascinating post – by the way, you are the boss so could have got away with a few more words!
Love the frog – perfect for a leap year!
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Dear Keith,
I like to stay within the parameters of the word count to challenge myself. 😉 I do “cheat” in other ways. One being writing and scheduling my stories ahead so I’m not going nutzoid when Wednesday rolls around. Noblesse oblige. Glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An author running ‘out of words’ itself shows how lovely and great the lady is.
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Dear Anita,
Josephine was too much to cram into 100 words. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another Phenomenal Female. Seems like she made the best of bad times.
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Dear Lisa,
She was some kind of a fighter. A role model for all women. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Lovely! Love how you highlighted this amazing performer, and I’m sorry you ran out of words … I’d have loved to hear more, too! 🙂
Added my contribution to the dancing frog! 😉
https://naamayehuda.com/2020/02/26/upstaged/
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Aye, there’s the rub. I thought about breaking it down and posting more parts, but…nah…I went for the punchline followed by links instead. 😉 The frog is dancing for joy to see you here this week. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was lovely! And I am happy to be back. T’was just a very temporary leave … 😉
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Here’s another example of a name I knew but a person about whom I knew nothing. Another amazing story about an amazing person. I love the last line.
Mine’s going to have to wait this week. I just got called (texted) in for an emergency writer’s meeting for the web series I’m working on.
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Dear Nobbin,
I hope your emergency is being taken care of. Thank you for your comments re my story. I have to say I learned a lot more than I knew about her. Always a perk of writing bio-snips.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s only a writing emergency. We sat on a couch for 8 hours and knocked out a scene. We’re shooting today. I talked myself into a small role.
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I posted a pingback for Friday Ficgtioneers I do not see any in links.
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I’ve no answer for you. The best thing to do is simply link your story on the inLinkz.
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You are now #29 on the inLinkz. if you have any more issues, email me at runtshell@gmail.com
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There are cases when even a flash-fictioneer runs out of words… there is no better honor to have a child being named after you.
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Dear Björn,
It happens. At least it did to me. 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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For once, I knew a lot of the material you shared this time. Josephine Baker is an inspiration to us all, no matter what skin color. She’s an example of beating the odds through sheer force of will. I’ve admired her story for many years now. Great stuff Rochelle. You make us all proud.
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Dear Eric,
Your comments make me blush. I just love learning about these marvelously determined people throughout history. If the history taught in school had been more character driven I might have liked it or even passed it. 😉 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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another inspiring snippet. thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Plaridel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the history woven into your tale
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Thank you, Jo. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It sounds like she had quite a life!
That Rochelle is always running out of words…
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Dear Ali,
Some days are just like that. 😉 Although my husband might disagree. As for Josephine, she did live a full life.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Damn, what a woman!
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Dear Laurie,
She was indeed. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice appeteaser. I love historical tidbits like this. I’d actually heard of her before your story!
Shalom,
Ronda
PS Can you believe I posted my story already? Call Ripley’s!
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But Ronda, it’s only Thursday. 😉 I’m glad you heard her story. Everyone should know about her. I’m dialing Ripley’s now.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOVE IT! Oops, my caps lock was on. STILL LOVE IT!!!
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Dear Ted,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!! 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story Rochelle!
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Thank you, Russell. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great inspiration for a story. Well penned.
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What a remarkable woman. They should make a movie about her. Thanks for telling her story Rochelle.
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Dear Subroto,
HBO actually did make a movie about her. A pretty good one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maVPkmI11D4&t=12s (Hope you can play it there). Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am amazed at how many wonderful people always seem larger than life. They enrich our society with courage and never, as you say, run out of words.
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Dear James,
There are so many heroes I fear we’ll never know. But I love it when they surface and I can learn about them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for opening our eyes and hearts to an amazing woman! A well-told tale.
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Dear Lish,
You know how I feel about unsung heroes. I’m always happy to share. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah Rochelle, you’re always keep your sparkling wit. Great wink to the reader at the end. I’m in Vietnam on work at the moment, but have the day off, so enough time to post a story this week. Next Wednesday looks pretty free too, so I should be back in a few days. Hope things are going well there.
-David
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Dear David,
It’s always good to see you here. Thank you for your head-swelling compliments. 😉 I also expect a few photos. I look forward to reading your voice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. You use Facebook? I post lots of travel pics there. Maybe I’ll do a post on here with some of the best ones.
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I am on Facebook a lot. Tell me where to find you and I’ll send you a friend request.
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I found you. Unfortunately there are a ton of people with my name out there so I’m hard to find.
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Oh yes, people like her are so important. Nice one.
Well, my post’s up. I think I’ll post on Wednesday from now on.
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Dear Tony,
Welcome to Friday Fictioneers. I’m looking forward to reading more from you. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this. I have been interested in Josephine Baker since I first heard Al Stewart’s song about her. Well done Rochelle
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That last line is the best. Cute and clever.
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