Laura Gilpin

Laura Gilpin was born on April 22, 1891, Colorado Springs, CO daughter of Emma and Frank Gilpin. Frank was a cattle rancher fromPhiladelphia, while Emma grew up in St. Louis and Chicago.  Emma did move to Colorado to be with her husband but longed for the more cultured surroundings and lifestyle of big cities.  

Laura enjoyed exploring and being outdoors as a child in the Colorado landscape.   For her fifth birthday she received a Brownie Camera and for Christmas, that same year, a developing tank.  This was the beginning of a life long love affair with the camera.  

At one point in an attempt to support her growing interest in photography, Gilpin started a business raising turkeys at her family's ranch. Her poultry business was widely successful and was featured in a Denver newspaper in 1913.  Her passion remained photography though.

In 1916 she moved to New York where she met Gertrude Kasebier. Gertrude became her mentor and life long friend. While there she became quite ill with influenza.  She was so sick she had to return home to regain her health.  Her mother hired a nurse, Betsy Foster, to help care for her and this was the beginning of a life long friendship; one of dedication, devotion and sharing.  Laura regained her health and Betsy returned to her visiting nurse duties in the far reaches of Arizona. Laura accompanied her often and it was through these visits they both became totally obsessed with the Navajo.  She photographed and wrote the story of these people. She respected and had a great love and understanding of the Navajo.  They returned that respect. Of these great people she said that two qualities really stood out, dignity and happiness. Both sprung from their vital traditional faith, faith in nature and faith in themselves she said. 

There is so much more to be said, known and seen of Laura Gilpin.  Martha A. Sandweiss has written a book about her life including photographs; Laura Gilpin: An Enduring Grace. 

Midge Kirk is a slightly eccentric artist, writer, bibliophile, educator, feminist scholar and historian.  She can be reached at eurydice4@yahoo.com and she has a blog, wildheartwomen@blogspot.com. HerStory focuses on stories of women whose contributions to history need to be remembered.