Although she’s been gone 37 years — she died on this date in 1975, at the age of 68 — Josephine Baker undoubtedly still inspires glamourous present-day divas from Beyoncé to Tyra Banks.
Today LIFE.com pays tribute to the “Bronze Venus” with a gallery featuring her most energetic moments on stage in 1951, captured by legendary photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. We promise you’ll be inspired too!