Charwoman Collection

Charlady - Victorian period

Government charwoman cleaning after regular... Washington, D.C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning after regular working hours. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Adopted daughter and two grandchildren with Mrs. Ella Watson... charwoman, Washington, D.C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Adopted daughter and two grandchildren with Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman

Mrs. Ella Watson, who has been a government charwoman... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Mrs. Ella Watson, who has been a government charwoman for twenty-six years, with three of the five children she supports on her salary of one thousand eighty dollars per year

Government charwoman cleaning offices, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning offices. Her working hours are from 5:30 till 1 a.m. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Saturday afternoon, 7th Street and Florida Avenue, N. W. Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Saturday afternoon, 7th Street and Florida Avenue, N.W. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Grandchild of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, taking her... nap, Washington, D.C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Grandchild of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, taking her afternoon nap

Dinner time at the home of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Dinner time at the home of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman

Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman going home... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman going home from work at 2 a.m

Government charwoman who provides for a family of six on her salary... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman who provides for a family of six on her salary of one thousand and eighty dollars per year. She puts ten percent of her salary in war bonds. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Government charwoman cleaning after regular working hours, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning after regular working hours. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Government charwoman cleaning after regular hours, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning after regular hours

Government charwoman, Washington, D. C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, with three grandchildren and her adopted daughter

Charwoman cleaning after regular working hours... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Charwoman cleaning after regular working hours at the Office of the Registrar of the Treasury

The charwomen in the National Gallery. A cartoon about the conservation controversy at the National Gallery, after nine paintings were cleaned in the autumn of 1852

Charwoman (b / w photo)
3637390 Charwoman (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charwoman. Illustration for Wonderful London by St John Adcock (Fleetway, c 1930)

The "Irrepressible Lodger"(engraving)
2777135 The " Irrepressible Lodger" (engraving) by Tenniel, John (1820-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The " Irrepressible Lodger." Cartoon, 6 April 1867)

Lord Montagu seen here scrubbing away with a floor brush with an ardour that would excite ham handed applause from a team of charwomen

Charlady, photo for a press advertisment for twine, 1966. Artist: Michael Walters
Charlady, photo for a press advertisment for twine, 1966

Interior of the Savoy Chapel, Westminster, London, 1809. Artist: J Byrne
Interior of the Savoy Chapel, Westminster, London, 1809. The chapel was built in 1512

Charwoman, London, 1926-1927. Artist: Hoppe
Charwoman, London, 1926-1927. Illustration from Wonderful London, edited by Arthur St John Adcock, Volume I, published by Amalgamated Press, (London, 1926-1927)

A Late Spring Cleaning, 1887. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Late Spring Cleaning, 1887. The charwoman pumps vigorously at the barrel of disinfectant under the watchful eye of Mr Punch. The scene is, of course, the House of Commons

Victorian scrap - charwoman. late 19th century

The Charwoman. circa 1840

Cigarette Jeanne Daurmont 1906 Oil canvas 20 x 16
Artokoloro

Advice to would-be brides - The housework ahead
Advice to ladies about to be married - To get used to house-work! Try a few weeks Charing. The sender of this card has added the waggish line: " Hope you won t grease the stairs for me

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Unsung Heroes: The Charwomen of Washington, D. C. In 1942" In the Victorian period, a charwoman, also known as a Charlady, was an integral part of society. Fast forward to 1942 in Washington, D. C. , and we find these remarkable women still making their mark. One such woman was Mrs. Ella Watson - a government charwoman who worked tirelessly to provide for her adopted daughter and two grandchildren. Gordon Parks captured the essence of Mrs. Watson's life through his lens. In one photograph, we see her cleaning offices after regular working hours; her dedication evident even when others had left for the day. Another snapshot reveals Saturday afternoon on 7th Street and Florida Avenue - bustling with activity but amidst it all is Mrs. Watson's grandchild peacefully napping. Dinner time at Mrs. Watson's home paints a picture of love and resilience as she gathers her family around the table despite the challenges they face. And as dusk settles over Washington, D. C. , another photograph shows Mrs. Watson heading home after yet another long day at work. These images highlight not only the hard work and sacrifice of this government charwoman but also shed light on how she single-handedly supported a family of six on her meager salary during challenging times. The photographs by Gordon Parks immortalize these unsung heroes who cleaned up after others' messes without complaint or recognition. They remind us that behind every clean office or spotless hallway lies someone like Mrs. Ella Watson - strong-willed, determined, and resilient against all odds. Let us remember these remarkable women whose contributions often went unnoticed but were crucial in keeping our society running smoothly during those trying times in history.