Portrait of Three Friends from the Early 20th Century

This photograph, taken between 1915 and 1920 by a photographer from the Bain News Service, captures three individuals: Lt. F. Hale, Catherine Kent, and Celia Burns. At this time, the world was marked by the tumult of World War I, which not only altered the landscape of international relations but also significantly impacted domestic life in the United States. Women like Catherine Kent and Celia Burns were increasingly stepping into roles that challenged traditional norms, often contributing to the war effort and advocating for social change.

Although the image lacks a specified location, the presence of Lt. Hale suggests a military context, likely connected to the preparations or aftermath of the war. The early twentieth century was a pivotal era in American history, characterized by shifts in gender roles and the movement for womens suffrage, culminating in the right to vote in 1920. This photograph serves as a snapshot of a transformative period, where ordinary people often found themselves at the heart of extraordinary events, shaping the future of the nation and the world.