Elizabeth Williams (photographer) facts for kids

Elizabeth "Tex" Williams was born in 1924. She is an amazing American photographer. In 1944, when she was 20, she joined the Women's Army Corps. She was one of the very few African-American women photographers in the military. Her work helped change how people saw African Americans.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Williams was born in Houston, Texas, in 1924. She grew up in a family that worked hard. Later, she joined the Women's Army Corps. She was sent to different places like Iowa and Arizona. After her military career, she moved to Huachuca City, Arizona.

Williams wanted to become a photographer. The army did not allow African Americans into its main photography school. So, she went to the Photographic Division School in New Jersey. She was a brilliant student there. She graduated with top honors and was the best student in her class.

Her Photography Career

Elizabeth Williams worked as a photographer for the Women's Army Corps. She served from 1944 until 1970. At first, she was stationed at a base in Iowa. This base was only for Black soldiers. This was because the military was still separated by race. This separation continued even after the official rules changed in 1948.

Because of this separation, Williams took many photos of African Americans. She showed them in new and positive ways. She helped change old ideas about Black people. Her photos showed the "New Negro" movement. This movement aimed to show the strength and talent of African Americans.

Williams photographed many things for the military. She took pictures for intelligence work. She also photographed medicine, defense, and ID photos. Later, she worked as an intelligence photographer. She took pictures for defense intelligence groups.

Why Elizabeth Williams is Important

Experts like Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe and Jacqueline Ellis say Williams was a true pioneer. It was very hard for a Black woman to succeed as a photographer back then. It was even harder to do so in the American military. The military was still separated by race in many ways until the 1980s.

African Americans were not allowed in army photography schools. So, Williams had to go to the Photographic Division School in New Jersey. She was the first woman and the first African American to graduate from that school. She did so with great success. She was also the only woman to photograph for the Air Force. Her work helped open doors for others.