When I started this story, I had focused on Eleanor Roosevelt, who by her own right is a fascinating woman, but I lost interest in her to focus on Martha Gellhorn, who may later become another blog post. However, Martha knew Dorothea Lange who went on to capture American History in her photographs and become the subject of this post.
Dorothea might be best known for her photo Migrant Mother, and there is a real story behind that photo, which is documented in the YouTube video if you care to listen to it. Dorothea’s photos brought attention to the plight of the American people during The Great Depression. This is what brought her to Eleanor and Martha. Eleanor championed FDR’s Resettlement Administration as it tried to help people affected by the Dust Bowl at the time, and Martha came along to write the stories. Dorothea took the photos.
Dorothea was born in 1895 in Hoboken NJ and died in 1965 in San Francisco, but between those dates, she traveled around the world taking and selling her photos. She ended up in San Francisco when the money ran out, so she started doing portrait photos.
At the time, the streets of San Francisco were filled with men in dire straits, and she captured the images of men in bread lines, which is how she came to the attention of FDR. He wanted her to help him get the nation's attention to the migrant workers.
Dorothea never thought of her photographs as art - she wanted to be a photojournalist -, but as a way to effect social change in a country that was spread so far apart. She was once again asked to work for the government when Pearl Harbor happened.
However, the government shelved her "real" work because of the controversial subject matter. Apparently, no one wanted the American people to know that their government rounded up Japanese American citizens and put them into concentration camps.
Dorothea's photos were boxed until 2006 when the book Impounded: Dorothea Lange and the Censored Images of Japanese American Internment was published.
Dorothea’s photos exposed the world to the plight of the Japanese Americans who had been at the wrong place at the wrong time.
It may seem like a long time ago because of Dorothea’ s 1895 birthdate, but George Takei of Star Trek fame in the 1960s lived in one of the concentration camps in the United States as a child, and he’s still a vocal advocate for human rights.
He could have been the little boy saying The Pledge of Allegiance in one of Dorothea’s photos.
Dorothea had two children, three stepchildren, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is in the International Photography Hall of Fame Museum, the National Women’s Hall of Fame and had an elementary school named for her California. Her photos have been on display in museums around the world and the Migrant Mother hangs in the halls of the Library of Congress.
It is said that Dorothea’s photos make you want to know the rest of the story behind the image. If you want to know more about the Migrant Mother, her name is Florence Owens Thompson.
Other things that tell stories are the handcrafted artwork from artists who work in metals, fiber, cloth, and yes, photography. Here are some wonderful gift ideas for Mother’s Day that revel in color.
Basket of Sunflowers Sticker Labels – Set of 30
Vintage Floral Earrings with Sapphire Blue Rhinestones, Spring Summer Jewelry
Blue Hawaii Tropical Sunset on the Sea Agate Blue Quartz Citrine Designer Pendant Necklace
Morning glories
Jelly Bean Colored Ranunculus Accent Pillow
Star of David Jewelry
Artisan Lampwork Floral Necklace Murano Venetian Glass Amethyst Semi-Precious Gemstones
Dragonfly Boho Earrings Pink Yellow White Lightweight Handmade Jewelry
Handmade Lampwork Glass Frit Beads, Lt Turquoise Blue Green Purple Silver Leaf
Multicolor Wooden Stretch Beaded Bracelet
Magnolia, Bougainvilleas, Orchids, Hibiscus 6 Choices, Watercolor Print
Collectible Thimble with Tropical Flowers Hibiscus
If you don't see what you want from this list, here are some other places you might find the perfect gift for Mom:
Mother's Day Countdown 2023 Week 1
Mother's Day Countdown 2023 Week 2
Mother's Day Countdown 2023 Week 3
Other Outstanding Women
Many artists are happy to do custom work for you, so if you see a style you like, then contact the artist and ask them if they do custom work.
Enjoy and happy shopping!
Julie
This is a gorgeous collection. Thank you for the wonderful, articulate biography on Dorothea Lange. Her photos deserve a special place in history and art.
Thank you too, for including my Blue Hawaii Tropical Sunset on the Sea Agate Blue Quartz Citrine Designer Pendant Necklace.
Thank you, Julie and Harry, for this beautiful collection of artisan handmade items for Mother’s Day gifts. Thanks for including my handmade lampwork beads.
Thank you, Julie and Harry, for introducing me to another famous woman. Her photos still haunt me.
Thanks for including my floral earrings.
Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful blog on another famous woman, Dorothea Lange. I truly enjoyed reading about her… such an inspiration! Thanks for choosing my picture “Morning Glories”… I am very appreciative, Julie! Lots of fabulous artisan gift ideas here… will be tweeting and pinning all these beautiful creations! Hope you have a lovely day!
Thank you Julie for another fascinating famous woman. I honestly did not know about Dorothea Lange, so this is such a great introduction. Thank you for including our sunflower stickers. Will share.