Portrait Medal of Sarah Bernhardt

Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) was born Henriette Rosine Bernard in Paris, of partial Jewish descent. Known as "The Divine Sarah," she became, arguably, the most famous actress of her time and was one of the first great stage actresses to appear in motion pictures. As a touring star who often led her own company, Bernhardt eschewed both traditional theatrical conventions and notions of female modesty. Her physical realism and heightened emotion foreshadowed modern theatrical styles. Bernhardt and other female entertainers at the turn of the 20th century exercised a strong influence in changing societal concepts of womanhood. Although she did not identify herself as Jewish, she acknowledged her Jewish maternal line and was the target of anti-Semitism throughout her career.