Charlady Collection

Travelling Charlady
A travelling charlady, up a ladder, cleaning a front door, her motorcycle with its Stop Me For Cleaning, No Job Too Small sign, parked behind her!

Charlady - Victorian period

Government charwoman cleaning after regular... Washington, D.C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning after regular working hours. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Adopted daughter and two grandchildren with Mrs. Ella Watson... charwoman, Washington, D.C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Adopted daughter and two grandchildren with Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman

Mrs. Ella Watson, who has been a government charwoman... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Mrs. Ella Watson, who has been a government charwoman for twenty-six years, with three of the five children she supports on her salary of one thousand eighty dollars per year

Government charwoman cleaning offices, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning offices. Her working hours are from 5:30 till 1 a.m. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Saturday afternoon, 7th Street and Florida Avenue, N. W. Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Saturday afternoon, 7th Street and Florida Avenue, N.W. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Grandchild of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, taking her... nap, Washington, D.C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Grandchild of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, taking her afternoon nap

Dinner time at the home of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Dinner time at the home of Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman

Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman going home... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman going home from work at 2 a.m

Government charwoman who provides for a family of six on her salary... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman who provides for a family of six on her salary of one thousand and eighty dollars per year. She puts ten percent of her salary in war bonds. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Government charwoman cleaning after regular working hours, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning after regular working hours. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Government charwoman cleaning after regular hours, Washington, D. C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman cleaning after regular hours

Government charwoman, Washington, D. C, 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Government charwoman. [Mrs Ella Watson]

Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Mrs. Ella Watson, a government charwoman, with three grandchildren and her adopted daughter

Charwoman cleaning after regular working hours... Washington, D.C. 1942. Creator: Gordon Parks
Washington, D.C. Charwoman cleaning after regular working hours at the Office of the Registrar of the Treasury

He Fell at Waterloo (colour litho)
3641587 He Fell at Waterloo (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: He Fell at Waterloo. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Charwoman (b / w photo)
3637390 Charwoman (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charwoman. Illustration for Wonderful London by St John Adcock (Fleetway, c 1930)

Mrs Hallie Ollerensham known as auntie Hallie by servicemen and women because of her cheerful welcome as they march into the canteen at Cromer Station

Charlady, photo for a press advertisment for twine, 1966. Artist: Michael Walters
Charlady, photo for a press advertisment for twine, 1966

Interior of the Savoy Chapel, Westminster, London, 1809. Artist: J Byrne
Interior of the Savoy Chapel, Westminster, London, 1809. The chapel was built in 1512

Charwoman, London, 1926-1927. Artist: Hoppe
Charwoman, London, 1926-1927. Illustration from Wonderful London, edited by Arthur St John Adcock, Volume I, published by Amalgamated Press, (London, 1926-1927)

A Late Spring Cleaning, 1887. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Late Spring Cleaning, 1887. The charwoman pumps vigorously at the barrel of disinfectant under the watchful eye of Mr Punch. The scene is, of course, the House of Commons

Mrs Mop the Cleaner
Mrs. Mop, the quintessential charlady, equipped with her pan and brush, mop, squeegy, headscarf and apron on... Date: 1960s

Circus Cleaner
A poor cleaning lady, down on her hands and knees, scrubbing the floor at Olympia Circus, London. Date: 1930s

Mrs Mop Sweeps Up
Good old Mrs Mop, always handy with a dustpan and brush! Date: 1960s

Charladys Motorcycle
The motorcycle of the Royal Enfield travelling charlady with its hopeful sign: Stop me for cleaning, no job too small and mop and bucket ready to go !

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In the bustling streets of Washington, D. C. In 1942, a remarkable woman named Mrs. Ella Watson took on the role of a charlady - a hardworking individual who provided cleaning services to various establishments. However, Mrs. Watson's story was far from ordinary. Known as the "Travelling Charlady, " Mrs. Watson traversed through different offices and buildings across the city, diligently scrubbing floors and dusting furniture with unwavering dedication. In an era reminiscent of the Victorian period, she embodied resilience and determination as she carried out her duties. Captured by renowned photographer Gordon Parks, we catch glimpses into Mrs. Watson's extraordinary life. Alongside her adopted daughter and two grandchildren, she created a loving home despite her demanding job as a government charwoman. Parks' photographs depict moments that reveal both strength and vulnerability within this remarkable woman's life: from capturing Mrs. Watson cleaning after regular office hours in Washington D. C. , to witnessing tender scenes such as her grandchild taking an afternoon nap or sharing dinner time at their humble abode. Mrs. Ella Watson became an emblematic figure - not just for being a government charwoman but also for single-handedly providing for her family of six solely on her salary. Her story serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit that exists within everyday heroes who work tirelessly behind closed doors. As we reflect upon these images frozen in time, let us remember that there is beauty in every corner of society – even amidst mundane tasks like cleaning offices or going home after another long day's work. Mrs. Ella Watson may have been labeled simply as a government charwoman; however, through Gordon Parks' lens, she becomes an icon representing strength, perseverance, and love – qualities that transcend time and continue to inspire us today.