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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A black and white photograph showing a range of objects - a ruler, nails, wood - shaped into right angles.

Běla Kolářová

Běla Kolářová (1923 – 2010) was a unique and pioneering self-taught artist, a proponent of Czech photography of the Cold War avant garde....

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Bertha Wehnert-Beckmann

During my time, I witnessed Germany’s last emperor Wilhelm II outline a role for women, which was later adopted by the Nazis: Kirche, Küche, Kinder. This translates as ‘church, kitchen and children’ -- three words that seemed to sum up...

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Bessie Rayner Parkes

My name is Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon. I am a mid-19th century feminist and women's rights activist. I also co-founded the English Woman's Journal in 1858 with my dear friend Bessie Rayner Parkes. Today, I thought of telling you all...

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Caroline Taylor

In 2017, Lacy Scott and Knight, an independent and longstanding firm of auctioneers and property valuers, were tasked with carrying out the valuation of items discovered at Thorne Court, just outside of Bury St Edmunds....

Christina Broom

Christina Broom

Britain’s pioneering female press photographer, Christina Broom, took up photography only in her 40s after her husband became unable to work....

Dora Maar

Dora Maar

Dora Maar (1907 – 1997) was an acclaimed painter, poet and photographer who was an integral figure in the Surrealist art movement....

Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange was able to run a successful portrait studio in San Francisco during the 1920s during the Great Depression....