10 Iconic Photos Of Women That Changed History (And Where Their Subjects Are Now)

Every photograph is a window, but the most famous photos of women are powerful mirrors, reflecting the social, political, and cultural shifts of their time. These images transcend mere documentation; they are visual artifacts that have galvanized public opinion, launched humanitarian aid efforts, and redefined the very concept of female identity.

As of December 2025, the visual narrative of womanhood continues to evolve, pushing beyond the traditional muse and into the realm of the creator and the activist. From the stoic resilience captured during the Great Depression to the contemporary celebration of Black femininity, we explore the stories behind the world's most influential photographs and the enduring legacies of the women—both in front of and behind the lens—who made them.

The Pioneers: Redefining Womanhood from the Victorian Era to the Great Depression

The history of photography is a history of women fighting to control their own image. The earliest iconic portraits were not just records of a moment, but declarations of independence, challenging rigid societal expectations.

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1. "Self-Portrait (as New Woman)" (1896)

The Woman: Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864–1952)

The Photographer: Frances Benjamin Johnston

The Story: Considered America's first female photojournalist, Frances Benjamin Johnston was a self-proclaimed "New Woman," a term used in the late 19th century to describe independent, educated, and career-oriented women. Her 1896 self-portrait is a deliberate act of defiance.

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In the photograph, Johnston is seated with her skirt hiked up, holding a beer stein in one hand and a cigarette in the other, a radical pose for a woman in the Victorian era. This image was a visual manifesto, subverting the expectations of feminine decorum and championing the idea of female autonomy and the burgeoning Progressive Era.

2. "Migrant Mother" (1936)

The Woman: Florence Owens Thompson (1903–1983)

The Photographer: Dorothea Lange

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The Story: Taken in Nipomo, California, during the height of the Great Depression, Dorothea Lange’s "Migrant Mother" is arguably the most famous photograph of the 20th century. The subject, Florence Owens Thompson, a 32-year-old mother of seven, had just sold the tires from her car to buy food for her starving children.

Lange was working for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to document the plight of rural Americans. The image of Thompson, her brow furrowed with concern and her children clinging to her, immediately galvanized public sympathy and prompted the U.S. government to send 20,000 pounds of food to the camp. While the photo brought immediate relief, Thompson later expressed regret that Lange had promised the photo would not be published, highlighting the complex ethical issues of photojournalism and the subject's right to privacy.

Global Crisis and Cultural Icons: From Conflict to Pop Culture

As the 20th century progressed, photographs of women became synonymous with global conflict, refugee crises, and the explosive rise of celebrity culture. These images forced the world to confront humanitarian disasters and simultaneously grappled with the objectification and empowerment of the female form.

3. The Iconic White Dress (1954)

The Woman: Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962)

The Photographer: Sam Shaw

The Story: While not a single image, the series of photographs taken by Sam Shaw during the filming of *The Seven Year Itch* (1955) in New York City is a cornerstone of pop culture. The most famous shot captures Monroe's white cocktail dress blowing up over a subway grate. This image is a complex symbol: it cemented Monroe's status as the ultimate sex symbol, yet it also represents an era of profound objectification. The photo was a meticulously orchestrated publicity stunt, drawing thousands of onlookers and ultimately contributing to the end of Monroe’s marriage to Joe DiMaggio.

4. "Afghan Girl" (1984)

The Woman: Sharbat Gula (b. c. 1972)

The Photographer: Steve McCurry

The Story: Sharbat Gula was a 12-year-old Pashtun orphan living in a refugee camp in Pakistan when Steve McCurry captured her portrait for *National Geographic*. Her piercing green eyes became the international symbol of the Soviet-Afghan War and the global refugee crisis.

For 17 years, her identity remained a mystery until McCurry finally tracked her down in 2002. The story of Sharbat Gula is a powerful, ongoing narrative of displacement and survival. In 2021, following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, she was evacuated and granted safe haven in Italy, a testament to the enduring, real-world impact of the photograph.

The Modern Lens: New Narratives and Contemporary Visual Activism

The 21st century has seen a shift in focus, with a greater emphasis on photographers of color and women from marginalized communities taking control of the camera. The current landscape, leading into 2025, is defined by challenging stereotypes and celebrating diverse identities.

5. "Cowgirl, London" (1999) and the Work of Lola Flash

The Woman: Subject is a model in London

The Photographer: Lola Flash (b. 1959)

The Story: Lola Flash is a pioneering Black, queer photographer whose work has been instrumental in creating a more inclusive and dynamic visual representation of marginalized communities. Her series *Cross Colour*, which includes the powerful image "Cowgirl, London," uses saturated colors and a deliberate subversion of traditional portraiture to explore themes of sexuality, race, and gender identity.

Flash’s work is a form of visual activism, challenging the status quo and creating space for narratives that have historically been excluded from the mainstream art world. Her dedication to documenting the experiences of the LGBTQ+ and Black communities makes her a vital entity in contemporary feminist photography.

6. The Intimate Depictions of Black Femininity (2020s)

The Woman: Various subjects

The Photographer: Olivia Lifungula (b. c. 1990s)

The Story: Representing the current generation of influential female photographers, Belgian-Congolese artist Olivia Lifungula is creating some of the most powerful and fresh images of the 2020s. Her work, often featured in collaborations with major brands like Gucci, focuses on themes of intimacy, beauty, and the authentic, joyful construction of Black femininity.

Lifungula’s photography is a direct counter-narrative to the historical exoticization and misrepresentation of Black women in art. By capturing honest, real moments of joy and vulnerability, she is building a crucial visual documentation that shifts the focus from struggle and trauma to celebration and self-definition, setting a new standard for portraiture in the current decade.

The Enduring Legacy of Iconic Female Imagery

The six photographs and photographers explored here—Frances Benjamin Johnston, Dorothea Lange, Florence Owens Thompson, Marilyn Monroe, Steve McCurry, Sharbat Gula, Lola Flash, and Olivia Lifungula—represent a complex tapestry of visual history. Their images are more than just moments frozen in time; they are catalysts for social change, political debate, and cultural introspection.

From the early 20th century’s "New Woman" challenging gender norms to the contemporary artist celebrating Black identity, these iconic photos of women serve as powerful reminders of the camera’s ability to shape reality. They embody the strength, resilience, and diverse spirit of womanhood across different continents and eras, ensuring that the stories of these entities—both the subjects and the creators—will continue to influence generations of artists, activists, and viewers. The ongoing work of organizations like the World Press Photo Contest and initiatives highlighting influential female photographers in 2025 ensures this powerful tradition continues.