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Category Archives: 1910s
Maggie Walker and the St. Luke’s Penny Saving Bank
Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934) is not a household name, but she made a huge difference in the lives of African Americans in the Richmond, Virginia area. In 1903, she was the first woman of any race to found a bank. … Continue reading
Burning the Mortgage, 1915
Photographs often document big moments in life—the wedding, the baby, the new house. A tradition in Black churches is to mark the end of mortgage payments, the moment when property finally belongs to the residents, with a mortgage burning ceremony. … Continue reading
Posted in 1910s
Tagged African American, colors, lace, Michigan, shirtwaist, special occasion
2 Comments
Flowers and the Older Women—Violets, Yes; Daisies, No
Did you know that flowers can carry messages far behind the beauty of the blossoms? I was reminded of the language of flowers in an excellent exhibit of vintage clothes at my university. The graduate student curator, Ayrika Johnson, assembled … Continue reading
Mother and Daughter on a Windy Day
What a difference in style between mother and daughter! The mother wears either a shirtwaist dress or a shirt and skirt combination in a conservative polka dot pattern. From this angle her boots look almost flat. Maybe she had problem … Continue reading
Grandmother Smith with Ting and Ling
There’s a short, short story wrapped around the side of this snapshot—“Grandmother Smith with May’s two Pekes Ting and Ling.” Although the Pekinese aren’t hers, Grandmother Smith really looks like a dog lover, don’t you think? Maybe she’s the one … Continue reading
Mary B. Talbert, Feminist Icon
Why isn’t Mary B. Talbert (1866-1923) better known? I discovered her through a feature on black women suffragists at the Digital Public Library of America. However, suffrage was just one of her causes. She was involved in the anti lynching … Continue reading
Posted in 1910s, 1920s
Tagged African American, lace, New York, shoes, women's organizations
1 Comment
Ida B. Wells–A Giant among Women
Here is a short list of Ida B. Wells’s accomplishments: school teacher, journalist, newspaper owner, anti-lynching crusader, mother of four, civil rights leader, and black women’s suffrage advocate. She filled her life (1862-1931) with more achievements than tens of other … Continue reading
Polka Dots or Stripes?
Let me make a confession—I don’t like polka dots. Delving into fashion history has made me realize that I have very strong opinions about textile patterns in general. From the outset I knew I didn’t like flowered patterns. Geometric designs … Continue reading
A Summer Idyll, ca. 1909
This beautiful photo, an eBay find, is the front of a postcard. A little research revealed that it is what is called a “real photo postcard.” Although such cards had long been in use, the Kodak company developed special paper … Continue reading
The Neighbors at Mission Court, 1919
Are you wearing your mask? These residents of Mission Court in Pasadena California are all abiding by the rules. As luck would have it, I found a Wikipedia entry for the small apartment complex, which is now on the National … Continue reading