Women - A Century of Change

Feature image
Women participate in the Holi ceremony, the festival of love and colors, which was once considered inappropriate for widows, at the Gopinath Temple in India. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”

Women - A Century of Change

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

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Women have been central to storytelling at National Geographic throughout our more than 130-year history. Our extensive photo archives are filled with images of a wide range of women across the world. Frame by frame, these images have come to form a global chronicle of the lives of women. The archives offer captivating glimpses of women through time—how they’ve been perceived, how they’ve been treated, how much power they’ve had (or didn’t have), how they’ve faced challenges, and how they’ve filled their days—from the turn of the 20th century to the present. 

This exhibition delves deep into the archives to illuminate the inspirational, moving, and extraordinary stories of women who have pushed boundaries, overcome adversity, and carved new pathways for themselves and others. No single image can represent the face of womanhood, but together, these photographs illustrate the evolving role of women in societies around the globe. With compositions ranging from traditional to provocative, the images are divided into sections that draw attention to a quality of their subjects: joy, beauty, love, wisdom, strength, and hope.

Although this exhibition draws on our archives, it does not just represent history. Our archives are a living collection, constantly growing to encompass the modern world. Likewise, this exhibition looks forward to explore the challenges and triumphs women may find in the future, as well as those they’ve experienced in the past. Alongside archival photos, you’ll encounter the stories and portraits of a number of accomplished, insightful women, including some of National Geographic’s own women of impact. Together, their achievements are shaping the events of today - and the archives of tomorrow. 

For further information about this exhibition visit https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2019/10/08/national-geographics-exhibition-women-a-century-of-change-draws-from-the-acclaimed-photo-archives-to-showcase-a-global-chronicle-of-the-lives-of-women/

 

Women - A Century of Change is organised and travelled by the National Geographic Society.

 

BUY THE BOOK

This powerful photography collection, drawn from the celebrated National Geographic archive, reveals the lives of women from around the globe, accompanied by revelatory new interviews and portraits of contemporary trailblazers including Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and Christiane Amanpour.

#MeToo. #GirlBoss. Time's Up. From Silicon Valley to politics and beyond, women are reshaping our world. Now, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, this bold and inspiring book from National Geographic mines 130 years of photography to showcase their past, their present, and their future. With 400+ stunning images from more than 50 countries, each page of this glorious book offers compelling testimony about what it means to be female, from historic suffragettes to the haunting, green-eyed "Afghan girl."
Organized around chapter themes like grit, love, and joy, the book features brand-new commentary from a wide swath of luminaries including Laura Bush, Gloria Allred, Roxane Gay, Melinda Gates, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, and the founders of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. Each is accompanied by a bold new portrait, shot by acclaimed NG photographer Erika Larsen. The ultimate coffee table book, this iconic collection provides definitive proof that the future is female.

RRP: $70.00 FROM THE GRAGM RETAIL SHOP

 

VIRTUAL REALITY TOUR

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage by exploring images from National Geographic's historic archives that depict women from around the world.  View the virtual reality tour here https://www.nationalgeographic.org/events/visit/women-vr/ 

 

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 14,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

VIEW A SLIDESHOW OF SELECTED IMAGES

ERIKA LARSEN (2019) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, photographed by Erika Larsen in Ellicott City, Maryland, January 30, 2019. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
JODI COBB (1997) Miss Trinidad adjusts her costume at the 1998 Miss Universe contest. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
ROBIN HAMMOND (2014) A 24-year-old project manager poses on a smoke break outside the African Artists’ Foundation in Lagos, Nigeria. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
AMI VITALE (2012) On the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol, a woman gets her head shaved symbolic of mountaintop removal and the many people who are sick or dying as the result. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
LYNN JOHNSON (2009) Women carry jerry cans filled with water through desert plains in Kenya. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
ERIKA LARSEN (2018) Roxanne Gay, photographed by Erika Larsen in Los Angeles, August 21, 2018. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
RANDY OLSON (2007) Schoolgirls in Ghana help prepare for the opening of the Maranatha Maternity Clinic by carrying chairs to the ceremony. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
MATTHIEU PALEY (2012) A recently married Afghani girl embraces her younger sister in Wakhan. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
MAYNARD OWEN WILLIAMS (1930) Two actresses strike a pose in costumes from ancient Greece during the Delphi Festival. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
J. BAYLOR ROBERTS (1944) A pair of performers put on lipstick underwater at Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee, Florida. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
DAVID ALAN HARVEY (2009) Dancers take to the streets during Brazil’s annual Carnival parade. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
DAVID BOWMAN (2015) The U.S. synchronized swimming team practices in Indianapolis. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
J. BAYLOR ROBERTS (1941) A group of women train to be lifeguards and swim instructors in North Carolina. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
ELIZA R. SCIDMORE (1918) Three Japanese women dressed in traditional kimonos celebrate the annual arrival of the cherry blossoms. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
AMY TOENSING (2016) Women participate in the Holi ceremony, the festival of love and colors, which was once considered inappropriate for widows, at the Gopinath Temple in India. National Geographic exhibition "WOMEN.”
 

 

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