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Phenomenal Woman

Throughout history until today, women have been shaping our world and connecting the community with each other in essential ways. Explore their crucial work and their inspiring stories.

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Celeida Tostes, Passagem (Passage), 1979 (detail). Photo performance: twenty-one projected photographs. Dimensions variable.| Raquel Silva / Projecto Celeida Tostes, Courtesy of the Hammer Museum
Art about motherhood has been devalued just about as long as the work of raising children has. But starting in the 20th century, we can find many examples of artworks that use the images or materials of motherhood to great effect.
Artist Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle with her son, Johari | Still from KCET Artbound's "Artist and Mother" Mother AB s9
It can sometimes feel like motherhood is invisible in the art world. Here are some resources for artist-mothers, including additional reading, grants and networks available to them.
Artist Andrea Chung with her son, Kingston| Still from KCET Artbound's "Artist and Mother" Mother AB s9
It seems to be difficult for us to be truly transparent about the value hierarchy we place on women — especially in the art world, which remains one of the last unregulated markets in the developed world.
Mary Pickford. Photo courtesy of the California State Library.
In early Hollywood, women outnumbered men as stars; they also wrote, publicized, directed, edited, and produced films in numbers unequaled until the 1980s – or beyond.
"A Woman Worker" poster (cropped)
During the First World War, L.A. women laid the foundation for the Rosie the Riveter feminism that followed decades later.
Botanist Mary Beal
Mary Beal dedicated most of her life to documenting and photographing the plants of the California deserts. Between 1939 and 1953, the now-defunct Desert Magazine published her columns which reminded readers that finding plants could be an adventure.
Mayme Clayton, 1973 (cropped for header)
A 9-year-old's visit to her school library sparked a lifelong quest to collect the history and cultural works of African-Americans.
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Gladys Towles Root made a long career out of "defending the damned" – and donning sensational courtroom attire.
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Minerva Hoyt saw the desert being destroyed, and that made her angry.
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