Jennifer Anne Boittin Boeken

Tells the story of the interactions and connections of black colonial migrants and white feminists in the social, cultural, and political world of interwar Paris. It explores why and how both were denied certain rights, such as the vote, how they suffered from sensationalist depictions in popular culture, and how they pursued parity in ways that were often interpreted as politically subversive.

The narrative explores the transformative impact of World War I on colonial migrants and French women in Paris, highlighting their newfound access to jobs and social scenes. Post-war, both groups resist societal pressures to return to traditional roles, challenging the expectations placed upon them. Their struggle for recognition and agency in a changing world reflects broader themes of identity and belonging in the aftermath of conflict.