Historical Heroines

Heroines of the past who were active at some point between the late 18th century and the mid-20th century.

From Alice to Yva, explore the archive of Historical Heroines and learn about the rich lives and careers of pioneering women photographers. As we continue our mission, our online archives will continue grow.

Researched, written and curated by our volunteers. If you would like to contribute to this valuable resource, sign up to volunteer today.

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Legacy Heroines

Discover Heroines Past

Zaida Ben-Yúsuf

By Emery: Zaida Ben-Yúsuf, born 1869, was a New York portrait photographer, famed for her artistic and striking portraits and work in the arts, fashion, and theatre world contributing to photography’s place in modernism and...