Kate Baker aka ‘Ma’ Baker
Ma Baker’s gangster story is a bit convoluted, and this is because there are two stories circulating around about who she was and what she did. One thing is for sure, which is the fact that the Bakers were a gang—all of the family, made up of her, her husband, and their kids. where the story differs depending on who you choose to believe.
Back in the 1910s, the Baker gang was known to run countless highway heists and other armed robberies. The first story runs with the idea that Ma Baker was the mastermind behind everything the gang had ever done. This is supported in part by the fact that the FBI’s first director described her as a “vicious, dangerous, and (a) resourceful criminal brain.”According to this, she is one of the most famous gangsters of all time.
The other story is a bit different. It is backed by people who claimed to have known her personally, and it lies on the other side of the spectrum. She was apparently the compelling opposite of the FBI description: she had nothing to do with all the crimes, and she was just an ordinary woman. They also raised the conspiracy theory that the legend of Ma Baker was made up to cover up the police’s traces after they killed the whole family in a raid.
Which is the true story? We will never know!
5 Responses
Yes I have heard of them All
They should make a movie all about these women and how they started especially Stephanie st.clair
I love stories like this
Thank you for this fascinating article about female mafia heads from gangster history. I found it interesting when you mentioned that there are numerous female mafia heads who ran successful crime empires. This read compels me to learn more, so I’ll definitely find a mafia historical site in my area to satisfy my curiosity.
You forgot to include Hillary Clinton