Navigating the enduring impact of maternal resilience amidst economic hardship.
Dorothea Lange’s iconic photograph ‘migrant mother’ has transcended time. Associated as a symbol of both resilience and neglect in the face of economic hardship, the image aimed to shed light on the plight of rural workers, farmers, and migrant labourers. Lange, working for the Farm Security Administration, captured the photograph during the depths of the Great Depression, a significant milestone in America’s history of evolution.
At the heart of Lange’s image lies a poignant portrayal of material sacrifice and strength, echoing the powerful religious iconography of the famous Madonna and child. While the image resonates with universal themes, it also reflects the harsh realities of its time, highlighting the anonymity and oppression faced by white, migrant mothers.
Beneath the surface of the image is a sense of anxiety and confrontation. Mothers face the uncertainty and burden of being steadfast in great times of economic crisis. The looming impact of social reform in LA resulted in Mexican Migrant mothers resorting to raising their children in railroad camps. Sufficient housing and sanitation were limited, and these struggles slipped through the cracks of public attention.
Many of their stories remain largely untold. Lange’s photography, while capturing a moment of raw emotion and economic uncertainty, also raises questions about the broader social and racial dynamics of the time. It challenges the traditional narrative of the nuclear family and calls attention to the diverse forms of kinship and caregiving prevalent in marginalised communities.
1936. U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information. Prints & Photographs Division.
The photograph’s enduring relevance in visual culture can be attributed to its ability to tap into a discourse of motherhood that transcends boundaries. By drawing on familiar religious imagery and reshaping it within the context of social documentary, Lange’s ‘migrant mother’ continues to provoke thought and inspire dialogue about the unrecognised labour of caregiving and the enduring resilience of marginalised communities.
As we navigate the challenges of our own time, marked by economic uncertainty and social reform, Lange’s photography serves as a timeless reminder of the burdens placed on women, the complexities of family structures, and the resilience that emerges in the face of adversity.
Associate Professor in American History, Stephanie Lethwaite, contributed to this article.
