- Photograph by
- Olson, Martha, American
- Subject of
- Benjamin-Walker, Cheryl, American
- Watts, Noreen, American, born 1965
- Date
- 1970
- Medium
- silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
- Dimensions
- H x W (Image): 9 1/2 × 7 7/16 in. (24.1 × 18.9 cm)
- H x W (Paper Frame Closed): 17 × 14 in. (43.2 × 35.6 cm)
- H x W (Paper Frame Open): 17 × 28 in. (43.2 × 71.1 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 black and white photograph of Noreen Watts (Smith) Cheryl Benjamin-Walker, and two unidentified children. The children are standing in front of a wall near a set a steps. At center, Watts holds Benjamin-Walker's arms. Two unidentified young girls stand on either side of Watts and Benjamin-Walker. All the children, except for Watts, look to the right of the photograph. The photograph is mounted to a paper frame. [Martha Olson] is written below the image on the frame handwritten in pencil. On the back of the photograph are handwritten inscriptions identifying the subject, date, and photographer.
- Place depicted
- Marion County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America
- Portfolio/Series
- Marion County Mississippi: 1970-1971
- Classification
- Photographs and Still Images
- Type
- gelatin silver prints
- portraits
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Martha Olson
- Object number
- 2018.21.21
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Martha Olson
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




