The Only Woman

A compelling gallery of women who entered a man’s world is presented through 100 group portraits, each featuring a single woman. This original approach to gender equality sheds light on the enduring phenomenon of “the only woman,” spanning diverse time periods and cultures. Across nearly 20 countries—from the advent of photography to the present day—the book reframes how women and men relate in social contexts, highlighting unheard stories, courage, achievement, outrage, mystery, and play. Authored by Immy Humes, an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker from New York, the work gathers both well-known and lesser-known figures, including writers, civil-rights leaders, domestic workers, sportswomen, lawyers, princesses, railway workers, boxing promoters, and astronauts.

The book traces the phenomenon from the 1860s to today, drawing on historical photos to explore how public life has included women in one-per-group settings. It features famous faces such as Shirley Chisholm, Emmeline Pankhurst, Marlene Dietrich, and Jane Campion, and presents a diverse spectrum of backgrounds—from activists and artists to scientists, entertainers, and professionals. The narrative invites readers to reconsider how gender has shaped social relations across time and cultures, offering a fresh contribution to visual and cultural history.

Kenmerken

• 100 groepportretten met telkens één vrouw
• Reeds vanaf 1860 tot heden aanwezig
• Gerepresenteerd in bijna 20 landen
• Diverse achtergronden en beroepen
• Verkenning van het fenomeen “de enige vrouw”
• Accepteert zowel beroemde als minder bekende figuren