Top of page

Category: Women’s History

Lucille Ball with an unidentified photographer holding camera.

Look Loves Lucy

Posted by: Kate Phillips

On the birthday of comedian Lucille Ball, we are highlighting a story by Look Magazine staff photographer Charlotte Brooks documenting Ball’s return to her hometown at the height of I Love Lucy’s popularity. The post will draw from the Look Magazine Photograph Collection, as well as papers from the Charlotte Brooks Archive.

New Year Greetings from Photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

“Greetings and Hearty Good Wishes for the New Year from Frances Benjamin Johnston” reads this combination business card, greeting card, and 1904 calendar from photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston. In 1904, Johnston was thirty years old, had a home photo studio in Washington, D.C., at 1332 V Street, and was already well-established in the capital city. …

Here’s Looking at You, Mom

Posted by: Jan Grenci

The following is a guest post by Kate Fogle, Assistant Curator of Photography, Prints & Photographs Division. Mom. Simple to say, this monosyllabic version of ‘mother’ entered the American lexicon in the mid-1800s, and its ease of use has yet to waver, as moms throughout the U.S. can attest. It’s a palindrome that conveys comfort …

Hats On For Easter

Posted by: Jan Grenci

The following is a guest post by Kate Fogle, Assistant Curator of Photography, Prints & Photographs Division. Bunnies and baskets. Two words heard often this time of year. With the Easter holiday nearly upon us, the consumer push to provide a bountiful Easter, even to the youngest of children, is felt by most parents I …

The Awakening Photomechanical print published by Puck Publishing Corporation, 1915, February 20. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ds.12369

Women in History

Posted by: Kristi Finefield

As Women’s History Month draws to a close, I was inspired to look back at the archives of the Picture This blog and to note the many ways we have celebrated the contributions of women in history. We have written posts about women making their mark, such as Shirley Chisholm and Amelia Earhart. And we …