A group of prominent Seattle women founded the Woman's Century Club in 1891. Club activities included the study of the arts and social issues, and members also lobbied for social justice. The club's 350 members campaigned to elect Seattle's first woman mayor, Bertha Landes, who was a former president of the organization.

In this photo, club members appear to be role playing and are dressed in thematic costumes. The photo is part of a collection from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began working in the photography field in 1909 when she managed the Edward Curtis Studio. She opened her own studio in 1917 with Wayne Albee. Albee moved to San Diego in 1925, and McBride continued to operate a studio in various Seattle locations. In 1932 she partnered with Richard Anderson; they continued to work together until she retired in 1954 due to her failing eyesight. She died in 1965 at the age of 102. Taken before the McBride-Anderson partnership began; it is not known which partner was the photographer.

Handwritten on sleeve: Century Club, 1928
Photographer's Reference Number: 10504C

Caption information source: Woman's Century Club, HistoryLink.