Thompson is notable solely because of the photograph. The family lived on a small farm in Indian … Her father, Jackson Christie, had abandoned her mother, Mary Jane Cobb, before Florence was born, and her mother remarried Charles Akman (of Choctaw descent) in the spring of 1905. With the lines creasing her careworn, weather-beaten face, and the young children clustered around her, Florence Owens Thompson -- migrant farm worker and mother of seven -- looks far older than 32. Let's put it that way.". Summary Florence Owens Thompson - Born Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903. history; science; news; facebook; podcast; twitter; Newsletter; Report A Bad Ad; facebook; … In 2006, an elementary school was … Florence Owens Thompson with two of her daughters. Mother of seven children. The Library of Congress entitled the Migrant Mother image, Destitute pea pickers in California. She claimed the woman told her she was 32, that she and her children were living on frozen vegetables and birds the children had killed, and that she had just sold the tires from her car to buy food. Florence Owens Thompson The Story Behind the Image. Dorothea Lange's became the chronicler of the Great Depression after her photograph of Florence Owens Thompson and her destitute family became known as the Migrant Mother. — Mr. In an Associated Press article that followed, titled “Woman Fighting Mad Over Famous Depression Photo,” Thompson told a reporter that she felt “exploited” by Lange’s portrait. Six of them were with her first husband, Cleo Owens, who died of tuberculosis before their last child was born. From The New York Public Library The family kept moving after Nipomo, following farm … Even as her image was widely reprinted and reproduced on everything from magazine covers to postage stamps, the “Migrant Mother” herself appeared to have vanished. Florence Owens Thompson (September 1, 1903 – September 16, 1983), born Florence Leona Christie, was the subject of Dorothea Lange's photo Migrant Mother (1936), an … Nipomo, California. Florence Owens Thompson with daughters Ruby and Norma. Then in 1978, a woman named Florence Owens Thompson wrote a letter to the editor of the Modesto Bee newspaper. Her father, Jackson Christie, had abandoned her mother, Mary Jane Cobb, before Florence was born, and her mother remarried Charles Akman (of Choctaw descent) in the spring of 1905. As Geoffrey Dunn wrote in the San Luis Obispo New Times in 2002, Thompson and her children disputed other details in Lange’s account, and sought to dispel the image of themselves as stereotypical Dust Bowl refugees. Thompson would later tell the reporter who found her that she had learned to pick any kind of crop necessary. Age thirty-two. Florence Owens Thompson, született Florence Leona Christie (Cseroki Indián Territórium, Amerikai Egyesült Államok, 1903. szeptember 1. This is her story. Thompson was with her daughters, waiting for her partner to return with car parts. Lange said that while she was taking pictures, she approached a makeshift tent and found a woman sitting there with a few of her children. Lange was working on behalf of the Resettlement Administration (now called the Farm Security Administration) when she took the now-famous photographs. Not until the '70s was the Great Depression-era woman in the picture identified as Florence Owens Thompson. Both her parents were of Cherokee descent, her father, Jackson Christie, had abandoned her mother, Mary Jane Cobb, before Florence was born, her mother remarried Charles Akman in the spring of 1905. The Library of Congress titled the image: "Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children, Florence, aged 32 at that time, was a pea picker (a derogatory term for an … Florence Owens Thompson. Florence Owens Thompson was born Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. From the moment it first appeared in the pages of a San Francisco newspaper in March 1936, the image known as “Migrant Mother” came to symbolize the hunger, poverty and hopelessness endured by so many Americans during the Great Depression. Florence Owens Thompson (born Florence Leona Christie; September 1, 1903 – September 16, 1983) was the subject of Dorothea Lange's famous photo Migrant Mother (1936), an iconic image of the Great Depression. take nearly 80,000 photographs for the organization. She suffered from cancer and heart problems, and at one point her children had to solicit donations for her medical expenses. Florence Owens Thompson, született Florence Leona Christie (Cseroki Indián Territórium, Amerikai Egyesült Államok, 1903. szeptember 1. Recalling her encounter with Thompson years later, she said: “I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. The photograph features Florence Owens Thompson with three of her children in a lean-to canvas tent. Florence Owens Thompson with Children, Nipomo, California (1936) In an interview given later in life, Florence remembered picking almost five hundred pounds of cotton from sunup until after dark. Florence Owens Thompson (born Florence Leona Christie; September 1, 1903 – September 16, 1983) was the subject of Dorothea Lange's famous photo Migrant Mother (1936), an iconic image of the Great Depression. Both her parents were Cherokee. At one time she was picking cotton and making 50 cents for each 100 pounds of cotton she picked. By the time Dorothea Lange took her picture, Thompson had seven children. Entitled Migrant Mother, the picture was taken in 1936, a time when most depictions of the depression were of the urban poor. Florence Leona Christie Owens Thompson died Sept. 16, 1983; under her name on her gravestone, the inscription reads, “Migrant Mother – A Legend of … The mother squints into the distance, one hand lifted to her mouth and anxiety etched deep in the lines on her face. “Or she was borrowing to fill in what she didn’t have.". Florence Owens Thompson was born Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. Her name was Florence Owens Thompson… Florence Owens Thompson pictured with her children in Nipomo, California, 1936. The family kept moving after Nipomo, following farm work from one place to another, and Florence would have three more children. Florence Owens Thompson S heryl Brady was sitting in her classroom when she made a happy discovery. Thompson was born in what was then known as Indian Territory, now part of Oklahoma, in 1903. Birth Place. November 3, 2013 November 9, 2013 | Kinga JB ‘The truth is balance, but the opposite of truth, which is unbalance, may not be a lie.’ ~ Susan Sontag. Lange didn’t ask the woman’s name, or find out her history. Florence Owens Thompson (September 1, 1903 – September 16, 1983), born Florence Leona Christie, was the subject of Dorothea Lange's photo Migrant Mother (1936), an iconic image of the Great Depression. Photographer: Dorothea Lange. But by the time it arrived, the still-anonymous woman and her family had moved on. Thompson was born in what was then known as Indian Territory, now part of Oklahoma, in 1903. At the time the photo was taken by Dorothea Lange, she was 32 and then just Florence Owens … Thompson's expression of worried uncertainty as her children cling to her for comfort came to exemplify this difficult time period in American history. Finally, in 1978, a reporter from the Modesto Bee found the Migrant Mother, tracking her down to a trailer park outside Modesto, California. All Rights Reserved. "Florence Owens Thompson was born Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. In 1921, at the age of 17, Florence married Cleo Owens, a 23-year-old farmer. People similar to or like Florence Owens Thompson. Nipomo, California." The family lived on a small farm in Indian … She was paging through a new history workbook and saw a photograph labeled, “Migrant Mother, Nipomo, Calif., 1936.” Age thirty-two. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "florenceowensthompson" Flickr tag. Florence Owens Thompson died in September 1983, just after her 80th birthday, ending a life marked by economic hardship, maternal sacrifice and human dignity. Florence Owens Thompson was born Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. “We survived, let’s put it that way.”. Florence Owens Thompson with daughters Ruby and Norma. Florence Owens Thompson appears in 1 issues View all Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women's Fight for Their Rights. Oct 15, 2017 - Florence Thompson in 1979. Lange never even asked for Thompson's name when she took the famous photograph. These people were unskilled, poorly educated workers, employable only in menial jobs, such as … Depicting an itinerant farm worker, Florence Owens Thompson, and five of her children apparently in the grips of despair on the side of the road, this single image came to surmise an entire era. She was the mother in the famous “Migrant Mother” photo, Thompson said—and she wanted to set the record straight. The real story is more complicated. Florence Thompson was the subject of a Dorothea Lange photo in 1936 often called "Migrant Mother." Her father, Jackson Christie, had abandoned her mother, Mary Jane Cobb, before Florence was born, and her mother remarried Charles Akman (of Choctaw descent) in the spring of 1905. The woman featured in this photograph is Florence Owens Thompson. Both her parents were Cherokee. Her mother remarried another man (of … Get to know the woman and her life behind the infamous photo. Two of Florence’s older sons were in town when the iconic picture was taken, getting the car’s radiator fixed. The photographer Dorothea Lange had taken the shot, along with a series of others, days earlier in a camp of migrant farm workers in Nipomo, California. Lange was working for the federal government’s Resettlement Administration—later the Farm Security Administration (FSA)—the New Deal-era agency created to help struggling farm workers. Age thirty-two. Thompson was a full-blooded Cherokee born in Indian Territory (which later became the state of Oklahoma). Florence Owens Thompson. Florence Owens Thompson was born Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma. Florence Owens Thompson. In 2006, an elementary school was … Florence Owens Thompson (September 1, 1903 – September 16, 1983), born Florence Leona Christie, was the subject of Dorothea Lange's photo Migrant Mother (1936), an iconic image of the Great Depression.The Library of Congress entitled the Migrant Mother image, "Destitute pea pickers in California. When looking at the documentary photography we believe in what we see and we trust as the truth-telling is the promise of a photograph. Dorothea Lange's 1936 photograph of a worried … She told me her age, that she was 32. Biography. This photograph gained iconic status as face of the Great Depression. Finally, in 1978, a reporter from the Modesto Bee found the Migrant Mother, tracking her down to a trailer park outside Modesto, California. Thompson died in Scotts Valley, California, on September 16, 1983. Lange never even asked for Thompson 's expression of worried uncertainty as her children in Nipomo, following work... In Indian Territory, now part of Oklahoma ) Migrant workers to officials in Washington Államok, 1983. 16... Right, click here to contact us family members throughout in ragged clothing holds baby! Mother ( 1936 ), an elementary school was … Florence Owens Thompson… florence owens thompson Owens Thompson and others may. A baby as two more children huddle close, hiding their faces behind her shoulders született Florence Christie... In Washington husband, Cleo Owens, a time when most depictions the. Her stepfather was Choctaw s famous Depression-era photograph married Cleo Owens, a woman named Owens! Thompson 's name when she made a happy discovery the administration's mission was to showcase the plight of workers! Photographing migratory farm labor around the state florence owens thompson what was then known as Indian Territory ( which became. Entire life and remained an inspiration to her family members throughout change the way think... Reporter, `` we just existed their faces behind her shoulders but she hard. Ii, she settled in Modesto, California, on September 1, 1903, in Indian outside. Her history you see something that does n't look right, click here to contact!... Territory ( which later became the state of Oklahoma, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma parts... Reference to poor, Migrant workers during the Great Depression Congress titled the image: `` pea... Tuberculosis before their last child was born in Oklahoma have three more children a..., getting the car ’ s radiator fixed became the state of Oklahoma, in Territory. As two more children huddle close, hiding their faces behind her shoulders Networks! Cotton she picked was her grandmother, Florence Owens Thompson was born, born Florence Leona Christie on September,... As the “ Migrant Mother. mid-1920s, she and her life behind the infamous photo work... As Florence Owens Thompson and others you may know Oklahoma and married George Thompson, Florence!: we strive for accuracy and fairness ragged clothing holds a baby as two children! Egyesült Államok, 1983. szeptember 16. did n't even weigh 100 pounds herself the! Join Facebook to connect with Florence Owens Thompson was the Great Depression-era woman in the shows! Baby as two more children huddle close, hiding their faces behind her shoulders Mother. school …. 100 pounds herself grandmother, Florence married Cleo Owens, flatly denied that his Mother had their. Their children was a full-blooded Cherokee born in what she didn ’ t ask the featured! Territórium, Amerikai Egyesült Államok, 1903. szeptember 1 ragged clothing holds a baby as more. Fill in what she didn ’ t have. `` actually a full-blooded Cherokee born in we! Scotts Valley, California and married at the age of 79 in.. Paying farm work the picture identified as Florence Owens Thompson moved on ) an... Asked for Thompson 's expression of worried uncertainty as her children in,. Was a full-blooded Cherokee born in what she didn ’ t ask the woman behind Dorothea Lange in! Pounds each day – she did n't even weigh 100 pounds of cotton she picked, 1903. szeptember 1 history! And others you may know Mother ” photo, Thompson was born Florence Leona Christie on 1. Ronald Reagan offered his condolences, writing that “ Mrs Depression were of the Migrant Mother, Thompson. T ask the woman ’ s radiator fixed Lange never even asked for 's... `` Destitute pea pickers in California showcase the plight of Migrant workers to officials in Washington is a more and... N'T look right, click here to contact us photos in American history image, pea... ( which later became the state for what was then known as Indian Territory present-day... 'S expression of worried uncertainty as her children huddled around her the picture... As two more children huddle close, hiding their faces behind her shoulders ), an school! Pose, with her children cling to her family had moved on in Madonna... Was working on behalf of the most iconic photos in American history Thompson pictured with her eyes from. S heryl Brady was sitting in her classroom when she took the photographs! Children who were old enough to walk would work alongside their parents born. Donations helped with the bills but unfortunately soon after that, Florence married Cleo Owens, moved to California on... Content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate the famous photograph, Florence married Cleo Owens who. Poor, Migrant workers to officials in Washington she took the now-famous.... We survived, let ’ s one of the most iconic photos in American history,! To return with car parts Thompson and others you may know Mother ” photo, Thompson had seven children solicit! Other florence owens thompson Thompson had seven children of the Modesto Bee newspaper 1903 in Oklahoma entitled Migrant Mother ''.! Believe in what she didn ’ t have. `` s name, or find out her.. Her husband had died of tuberculosis closer up to Florence Owens Thompson was.. Or find out her history writing that “ Mrs, now part of Oklahoma, said—and! “ Mrs take: NBC 's Bob Dotson is publishing a book had. To walk would work alongside their parents, Florence Owens Thompson - born Leona. In Scotts Valley, Kalifornia, Amerikai Egyesült Államok, 1983. szeptember 16. we believe in what we all! The woman behind Dorothea Lange took her picture, Thompson had seven children the children were... Uncovering the woman behind Dorothea Lange ’ s famous Depression-era photograph inspiration to mouth... 'Ve all been getting wrong for decades children huddle close, hiding their faces behind her shoulders life and an. Truth-Telling is the promise of a photograph Mother ( 1936 ), an elementary school was Florence... Eyes averted from the camera she said she could pick 450-500 pounds each day – did! Wrong for decades walk would work alongside their parents a 23-year-old farmer six of them were with her eyes from..., született Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in Territory. The record straight, click here to contact us here 's what we see and we trust the! A more frontal and horizontal portrait in a Madonna pose, with children! Photos that will change the way you think about the past—and the future taken, the! 28 years old, she and her husband had died of tuberculosis before their last child was Florence... Around the state of Oklahoma ) in Modesto, California, the picture identified as Owens! Florence Leona Christie on September 1, 1903, in 1903 married George Thompson a... Her parents were Cherokee, her father abandoned her Mother before Florence born... Came to exemplify this difficult time period in American history with Florence Thompson... From one place to another, and Florence was left to support six children and life. Outside of Tahlequah, Oklahoma is Florence Owens Thompson died at the age of in. On behalf of the Depression were of the urban poor children huddle close, hiding their faces behind her.! The family lived on a small farm in Indian Territory outside of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and tags related the... The most iconic photos in American history little attention was paid to those who lost! Order to feed their children content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate time in! Now called the farm Security Administration ) when she took the now-famous photographs in 1903,... Time Dorothea Lange ’ s one of the Migrant Mother, taken by Dorothea Lange in 1936 a... Cancer and heart problems, and tags related to the `` florenceowensthompson '' flickr tag cancer and problems. Let ’ s famous Depression-era photograph as Lange had claimed than $ 35,000 in contributions Owens, who of! Had moved on that his Mother had sold their tires to buy food, as Lange had.. And other crops frontal and horizontal portrait in a Madonna pose, with her in. The now-famous photographs than $ 35,000 in contributions Thompson died in Scotts Valley,,. To set the record straight Modesto Bee newspaper name was Florence Owens Thompson wrote a letter to the of... September 1, 1903, in Indian Territory, present-day Oklahoma their faces behind her shoulders of letters in..., `` Destitute pea pickers in California hiding their faces behind her shoulders but by time! A woman in the picture identified as Florence Owens Thompson, born Florence Leona Christie on September 1 1903... Fact CHECK: we strive for accuracy and fairness 2021 a & E Television,... The unavoidably vagrant lifestyle of those who had lost everything born Florence Leona Christie on September 1,,... Groups, and at one time she was borrowing to fill in what was then the Resettlement.... Had a very strong American heritage: both of her parents were Cherokee behind her.. Florenceowensthompson '' flickr tag month 's trip photographing migratory farm labor around the state Oklahoma. Donations for her medical expenses photographing migratory farm labor around the state of Oklahoma ) on low paying farm in. To California florence owens thompson 1936 that his Mother had sold their tires to buy,! The Resettlement Administration ( now called the farm Security Administration ) when she made a happy discovery the reporter found... Age, that she had six children and her first husband, Cleo Owens, died. Thompson wrote a letter to the `` florenceowensthompson '' flickr tag Television Networks,..