Women’s Work: In the Towns - A Bus Conductress c. 1917

Curator: This drawing by Archibald Standish Hartrick is part of a series called "Women's Work: In the Towns," and it depicts a bus conductress. What's your initial take? Editor: There's a quiet strength to her, wouldn't you say? The way she holds that pole, and the slightly upward tilt of her chin. It's more than just a job; it feels like a quiet declaration. Curator: Exactly! The uniform itself is symbolic. It represents women stepping into roles traditionally held by men, particularly during times of war. Editor: And that number, so prominently displayed on her bag, "996." It's a powerful identifier. Makes you think about the individual behind the uniform, and the many others like her. Curator: Hartrick captures that perfectly. It's a moment of societal shift, etched in ink. There's a tenderness too, I feel. Editor: Yes, a moment frozen in time. It invites us to consider the layers of identity, duty, and resilience woven into this image. Hartrick gives this woman dignity, doesn't he?