Image Licensing : A Woman Vacuuming

EDITORS COMMENTS

In this photo print, we are transported back to the bustling streets of New York City in 1929. The focus is on Marie Bard, a young woman who epitomizes the values of her time. At just 22 years old, she has already become an iconic figure as the model for the renowned 1930 Red Cross poster and US postage stamp illustrated by Lawrence Wilbur. Marie's dedication to her family shines through as we learn about her daily life. She doesn't smoke or stay up late like many others in her generation; instead, she devotes herself to taking care of her parents in their home located in Astoria, Queens. Her mother works as a pharmacist while her father is involved in the coffee and tea importing business. Dressed modestly with an apron tied around her waist, Marie can be seen diligently vacuuming their home. This snapshot captures not only a mundane household chore but also represents the essence of domesticity during that era. It symbolizes how women like Marie played a vital role in maintaining their homes and supporting their families. This vintage photograph from Underwood Archives provides us with a glimpse into history—a time when homemaking was considered honorable labor for women like Marie Bard. It serves as a reminder of how societal expectations have evolved over time while honoring those individuals who dedicated themselves to creating warm and welcoming homes for their loved ones.