Mrs. M. Belmont & Caroline Hulbert: A 1910s Portrait

This photograph features two prominent figures, Mrs. M. Belmont and Caroline Hulbert, taken between 1915 and 1920 by the Bain News Service. The Bain News Service was known for capturing significant events and notable personalities during the early 20th century. The clarity of the glass negative reveals the subjects attire and expressions, placing this image in a time of great change in American society.

Mrs. M. Belmont was an influential socialite and suffragist, actively engaging in movements for womens rights. Her work extended beyond the typical roles of women in her time, as she advocated for social reforms and participated in various charitable causes. Caroline Hulberts identity may be less publicly recognized, but her association with Mrs. Belmont suggests her involvement in similar reform efforts or social circles, typical of the progressive era in which they lived. The 1910s were a transformative decade, marked by the fight for womens suffrage, culminating in the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.

This photograph stands as a visual record of these two women’s contributions during a pivotal moment in history when womens voices began to reshape the political landscape of the United States. Each detail captured in the image reflects the context of their lives and the broader societal shifts occurring at the time.