Nipomo Collection

MIGRANT MOTHER, 1936. Florence Thompson, a 32-year-old migrant worker and mother of seven, with her children in a camp for migrant workers in Nipomo, California, 1936

Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children. Age thirty-two. Nipomo, California. Photograph shows Florence Thompson with three of her children in a photograph known as Migrant

MIGRANT MOTHER, 1936. Florence Thompson, a 32-year-old migrant worker and mother of seven, with her children in a camp for migrant workers in Nipomo, California, 1936

MIGRANT WORKERS, 1935. Pea pickers from Vermont living at squatters camp and working on an automobile parked in front of a tent in a grove of eucalyptus trees at Nipomo, California

MIGRANT FAMILY, 1936. Florence Thompson, a 32-year-old migrant worker, photographed with her children in Nipomo, California, 1936. Part of the Migrant Mother series by Dorothea Lange, 1936

MIGRANT FARM WORKERS. Florence Thompson, a 32-year-old migrant worker, photographed with her children in Nipomo, California. Photograph part of the Migrant Mother series by Dorothea Lange, 1936

MIGRANT FAMILY, 1936. Florence Thompson, a 32-year-old migrant worker, with her children at a migrant workers camp in Nipomo, California. Oil over a photograph by Dorothea Lange, March 1936

California Depression Scene
Nipomo, California: 1936. Florence Thompson, age 32, nursing one of her children at a peapickers camp

Migrant agricultural workers family. Seven hungry children. Mother aged thirty-two. Father is a native Californian. Destitute in pea pickers camp, Nipomo, California

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"Nipomo: A Glimpse into the Lives of Migrant Mothers in 1930s USA" In the heart-wrenching photograph titled "Migrant Mother, 1936, " we are introduced to Florence Thompson, a resilient 32-year-old migrant worker and mother of seven. Captured by Dorothea Lange as part of her iconic Migrant Mother series, this image transports us back to a camp for migrant workers in Nipomo, California. During the Great Depression era, destitute pea pickers like Florence and her children struggled to survive amidst harsh conditions. Their lives were marked by uncertainty and hardship as they sought work wherever it could be found. The haunting image portrays their resilience while shedding light on the challenges faced by countless families during that time. The photograph captures not only Florence's strength but also her vulnerability as she nurtures one of her children. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by mothers who fought tirelessly to provide for their families under dire circumstances. Nipomo became a temporary refuge for many migrant farm workers seeking employment opportunities during those challenging years. Families from all walks of life converged here, forming tight-knit communities within squatters' camps where they lived and worked together. Through Lange's lens, we catch a glimpse into the daily struggles faced by these agricultural laborers – long hours spent picking peas or other crops under grueling conditions just to make ends meet. Yet even amid such adversity, there is an undeniable sense of unity among them – neighbors supporting each other through thick and thin. This captivating snapshot encapsulates both despair and hope; it tells an untold story etched onto the faces of hardworking individuals striving against all odds. Nipomo stands as a testament to human resilience in times when survival seemed uncertain at best. As we reflect upon this California Depression scene captured decades ago, let us remember those who endured unimaginable hardships so that future generations could thrive.