Description: Photograph of Mary Borkowski displaying one of her thread paintings, October 2002. Borkowski is a nationally recognized folk artist from Dayton, Ohio. In these paintings, she used silk thread on silk, velvet, felt or cotton background. Mary was born in Sulpher Lick Springs, Ohio, in 1916 and died in Dayton in 2008 View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL03385
Subjects: Women artists - Ohio; Multicultural Ohio--Ohio Women;
 

Description: Photograph of pianist Hazel Harrison signed and addressed to Ada Young, wife of Charles Young. Inscription reads: "To dear Mrs Young with my best wishes. Sincerely, Hazel Harrison, Dec. 18, 1924." Charles Young was the first African American to reach the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army and, at the time of his death in 1922, was the highest-ranking African American officer in the Army. He is known for having been forced into retirement due to health concerns before the start of World War I and later riding from Wilberforce, Ohio, to Washington, D.C. to prove his physical fitness for duty. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: NAM_MSS3_B02F082
Subjects: African American women; Artists; Music; Musicians; Military officers; World War I, 1914-1918; Young, Charles, 1864-1922.
 

Description: This is a portrait of a young woman standing in a flower garden. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed “Ewing Brothers” and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05319
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States—History; Gardens; Cultural Ohio--Art and Artists; Women--Ohio; Portraits; Flowers
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: This is a portrait of three young women standing in a flower garden. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed “Ewing Brothers” and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05321
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States—History; Gardens; Cultural Ohio--Art and Artists; Women--Ohio; Portraits; Flowers
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: This is a portrait of a young woman in a plaid dress, wearing a locked belt. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed “Ewing Brothers” and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06244
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States—History; Cultural Ohio--Art and Artists; Women--Ohio; Portraits
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: Photograph and caption from a newspaper regarding the Academy Award granted to Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Academy Award. Caption reads: "Los Angeles, Calif.--Actress Hattie McDaniel (above) is shown with the statuette which she received for her portrayal in 'Gone With the Wind.' The award was for the best supporting role by an actress and was made at the twelfth annual banquet of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.--Acme Photo." View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: NAM_MSS2_B01F09
Subjects: African American women; Artists; Arts and Entertainment
 

Description: This is a portrait of a well-dressed young woman sitting in front of an American flag which bears the images of President William McKinley and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt. Handwriting on the negative appears to identify the woman as Miss Rachel Riddle. This photograph was taken by traveling photographer Albert J. Ewing, ca. 1896-1912. Like most of Ewing's work, it was likely taken in southeastern Ohio or central West Virginia. Born in 1870 in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta, Ewing most likely began his photography career in the 1890s. The 1910 US Census and a 1912-1913 directory list him as a photographer. A negative signed “Ewing Brothers” and a picture with his younger brother, Frank, indicate that Frank may have joined the business. After 1916, directories list Albert as a salesman. He died in 1934. The Ewing Collection consists of 5,055 glass plate negatives, each individually housed and numbered. Additionally, the collection includes approximately 450 modern contact prints made from the glass plate negatives. Subjects include infants and young children, elderly people, families, school and religious groups, animals and rural scenes. In 1982, the Ohio Historical Society received the collection, still housed in the original dry plate negative boxes purchased by Albert J. Ewing. A selection of the original glass plate negatives were exhibited for the first time in 2013 at the Ohio Historical Center. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06259
Subjects: Ewing, Albert J. (1870-1934); Portrait photography--United States—History; Cultural Ohio--Art and Artists; Women Suffrage; Political campaigns; Political posters; Flags--United States; McKinley, William, 1843- 1901
Places: Ohio; West Virginia
 

Description: Dated 1916, this is a portrait of opera singer and music teacher Katherine Geis. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00090
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1920-1929, this is a portrait of Katherine Geis, opera singer and music teacher, seated on a stool. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00091
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1910-1919, this photograph shows opera singer and music teacher Katherine Geis dressed in a kimono for her role as "Violet" in the opera "Tycoon." Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00092
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated ca. 1940-1949, this photograph shows opera singer and music teacher Katherine Geis standing by an organ. Born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1875, Katherine showed an interest in music and theater at an early age, possibly influenced by her father's participation in the A.G. Field Minstrel Show for many years. She made her first public appearance at age five as a little midshipman in "Pinafore" in Lancaster. She later appeared at the Schultz Opera House in Zanesville, Ohio, where she sang selections from "Pinafore." At age twelve, she made her first professional appearance as Josephine from "Pinefore," and soon after enrolled in the Cincinnati College of Music. Katherine graduated at age eighteen and earned the Springer Gold Medal for her voice. After graduation, she performed in operas in Kentucky and worked for the Airon Opera Company and later married a tenor in the company, Charles Geis, in 1895. Geis was involved in many civic organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, Business and Professional Women's Clubs, and City Federation of Women's Clubs. She was a member of the Board of County Visitors, pianist and director for the Weller Theatre Orchestra, member and president for two years at the Thursday Morning Club, and forerunner of the Women's Choral Club, was its second president and served as director for many years. Throughout her life she taught music from her home. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL00093
Subjects: Ohio Women; Women artists; Opera houses; Singers; Zanesville (Ohio)
Places: Zanesville (Ohio); Muskingum County (Ohio)
 

Description: "Acme Laundry in Cincinnati," an oil-on-canvas work painted by Caroline Augusta Lord (1860-1927) in 1911. It is one of Lord's series of three paintings depicting Acme Laundry. This image depicts a large group of women working in a large laundry. They are wearing aprons over long dresses or skirts and blouses. The figures in the foreground have their backs to the viewer. Acme Laundry, established in 1907, was located at 911 Vine St. in Cincinnati. Caroline Augusta Lord (1860-1927) was a native of Cincinnati who studied at the Cincinnati Art Academy, the Art Students League in New York City, and in Paris. She exhibited paintings at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893). She returned to Cincinnati, where she continued in her profession and also taught at the Cincinnati Art Academy. Her frequent subjects were the struggles of the common laborer, women, and children. This painting is part of the Ohio Historical Society's fine art collection. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05926
Subjects: Paintings; Artists--Ohio--Cincinnati; Laundry workers--Ohio; Women--Employment--Ohio--Cincinnati; Women artists
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)