Photograph by
Olson, Martha, American
Subject of
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
1970
Medium
dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 4 5/8 × 3 1/8 in. (11.7 × 7.9 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 5 × 3 1/2 in. (12.7 × 8.9 cm)
Caption
Martha Olson graduated from Northwestern University with her B.A. in Art in 1969, and within a year, she was working more than 800 miles away as the girls’ physical education teacher at Marion High School in Columbia, Mississippi. It was the first year of integration in Mississippi public schools. During that time, Olson photographed local students, their relatives, and other residents of Marion County, which she later compiled into a series entitled, "Marion County Mississippi: 1970-1971."
Description
A color photograph of a student at Marion County High, possibly Mary Gola. Mary is featured from the chest up, sitting in a metal folding chair. She wears a brown and orange checkered top with an orange tie at center. Other metal chairs and bleachers are partially visible in the background of the image. There is a pre-printed date on the top of the image paper that reads [Dec 70]. On the back of the photograph are handwritten inscriptions identifying the subject, date, and photographer.
Place depicted
Columbia, Marion County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America
Portfolio/Series
Marion County Mississippi: 1970-1971
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Type
chromogenic color prints
portraits
Topic
American South
Communities
Education
Photography
Youth
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Martha Olson
Object number
2018.21.120
Restrictions & Rights
© Martha Olson
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c8bd2f36-bff6-4ec4-bfdc-b7bb675d8b71

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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