Elegant Portrait of Early 20th Century Woman

This photograph features Edyth Totten, taken between 1915 and 1920 by a photographer from the Bain News Service. The image captures a moment in time when women were increasingly stepping into public life, a period marked by significant social change in the United States. The early 20th century was a pivotal time for womens rights, with movements gaining momentum as women campaigned for the right to vote, which would be achieved nationally in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Edyth Totten is emblematic of the many women who began to assert their presence in various fields during this transformative era. The Bain News Service played a crucial role in documenting these shifts, producing images that showcased not just prominent figures, but also everyday life and the changing dynamics of society. While the exact location of this photograph isn’t noted, it represents the general style and approach of the time, capturing the spirit and individuality of its subjects. Each photograph serves as a historical record, allowing us to glimpse the lives, fashions, and social contexts that shaped an entire generation.