Women Striving Forward, 1910s – 1940s

To commemorate International Women’s Day (March 8), here are 23 photos that highlight the many arenas in which women have striven individually and collectively not only for their own betterment, but for better conditions and greater justice in the world at large. The photos caught our eye because they show the resilience, determination, and humor that it takes to survive and flourish, sometimes against great odds.

The pictures were suggested by our staff and members of the Library of Congress Women’s History Discussion Group, where researchers and staff gather monthly to discuss their studies and research strategies. They proposed images from the two Flickr sets called “News in the 1910s” and “1930s-40s in Color” and added the tag “IWD” to about 120 images. To see the full array of photos, search IWD.

Many of the selected photos have been up in Flickr for more than a year, and the notes, tags, and comments reflect an accumulation of ideas that may have little to do with the role and status of women—illustrating once again the many angles from which the photos can be appreciated.

Learn more about Library of Congress resources for women’s history

“American Women,” gives an overview of holdings relating to women’s history in the United States: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/

“Women’s History Month,” page summarizes events and digital offerings: http://www.loc.gov/topics/womenshistory/

“Resourceful Women,” provides an opportunity to view Web casts of speakers at a 2003 symposium relating to women’s history research; speakers included Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/women/