ERA March, Washington, DC (woman waving flags) 1979

Curator: Rosalind Solomon’s photograph, ERA March, Washington, DC, captures a compelling moment. Look at the materiality, the tones rendered on this gelatin silver print. Editor: It feels patriotic, yet…ordinary. The woman's expression is determined, not triumphant. What do you think it tells us about that movement? Curator: It complicates any singular narrative. This image highlights the individuals involved in political action, the labor of protesting, and the very real stakes for these marchers. Editor: The flags she carries feel almost like burdens, reflecting the struggles for equality symbolized by the ERA movement itself and how it was received. Curator: Precisely. Solomon shows us how political movements are built on the backs of everyday people, their efforts and commitment. Editor: A reminder that history is made not just in grand gestures, but in the consistent work of ordinary lives.