Tag Archives: women’s organizations

Hope Skillman Fabrics

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Lynn

I’ve been wanting to write about textile designer and manufacturer Hope Skillman (1908-1981) for a long time, but pictures of her—especially with any sense of what she wore—are hard to find.  This Vogue advertisement, featuring her fabric on a dress … Continue reading →

Posted in 1940s, 1950s, 1960s | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Red Hat Society Lives On

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Lynn

Any commentary about older women and fashion in America must address the Red Hat Society, a loosely knit organization of women over fifty.  Moreover, the founder of the group, Sue Ellen Cooper, hails from my neck of the woods in … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020s | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Ukrainian American Women, 1938

Posted on March 12, 2022 by Lynn

According to the caption, this photo documents a political meeting of Ukrainian American women in 1938.  What was it about?  Politics in their homeland?  It was before the start of the Second World War, but after the Great Famine of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s, General | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Dots and Dashes, 1935

Posted on August 14, 2021 by Lynn

Well, this much we know about Mrs. A. T. Hermann—she liked jewelry.  I count one choker, two necklaces, and one pin.  She must have dressed up for the photo.  I imagine that the trim on her exuberant bow is made … Continue reading →

Posted in 1930s | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The Flapper’s Mother…and Grandmother

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Lynn

I have always thought there was something sad about flapper-style clothing on older women. The dresses were designed to fall in an unbroken line from the shoulders, but that only worked if there weren’t a lot of curves below.  To … Continue reading →

Posted in 1920s | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Easter Bonnet Luncheon, 1961

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Lynn

This photo comes from a very large archive of work by Charles “Teenie” Harris, housed at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburg.  Harris was a staff photographer for the Pittsburgh Courier, a major African American newspaper in the mid … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mary B. Talbert, Feminist Icon

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Lynn

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 , , , , | 1 Comment

Ida B. Wells–A Giant among Women

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Lynn

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 →

Posted in 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, General | Tagged , | 1 Comment

It’s a Handbag!

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Lynn

Doesn’t this 1950s snapshot call out for a story?  The happy woman holding the handbag is obviously the star of the event, since she is the only one wearing a corsage.  But what kind of occasion is it? A retirement … Continue reading →

Posted in 1950s | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Bipartisan Fashion, 1977

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Lynn

Given today’s political contentiousness, it is reassuring to remember a moment in American history when Democrats and Republicans stood together to advocate for women’s rights.  In 1977, the federal government sponsored a National Women’s Conference to discuss the status of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment