Maybe we have big enough hearts to appreciate both. They suggest the American Dream is alive and very well. Each is very attractive in multiple ways. I love that they are not shy about their faith in God and the Bible. Super sweet girls with family oriented values, real and down to earth yet FABULOUS!
Years ago I worked in an office where the ladies from the secretarial pool would gather around the front desk to gab abut the Kardashians. It amazed me how anyone would spend so much time watching that stupid reality show and then talking about it as though it was important.
Thompson died of "stroke, cancer and heart problems" at Scotts Valley, California, on September 16, 1983, at age 80.[27][28] She was buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, in Hughson, California, and her gravestone reads: "FLORENCE LEONA THOMPSON Migrant Mother - A Legend of the Strength of American Motherhood."
@H.L.-fj6zd.. My mom was born in the back woods of W.VA to poor abusive parents with 9 additional kids. She escaped when she was 17 and made a new life in a different state. She never finished school and bc she had a bad stammer, always thought she wasn't smart enough to go back. She cleaned houses until her mid 70s and made sure I always had everything I needed. Food, a home, and a good education, and her name was Flo. These women are unknown heroes. There are probably more like them, but unfortunately, they are lost to time and history.
@pennierkaide4985 A Women like your mother was was actually the majority in those days. I wish we could say the same today. Instead of toughening up it seems they just complain more and pity themselves. Women AND Men.
I've seen this woman's face from time to time over the past 72 yearsc and wondered what happened to her and her children. I don't recall ever hearing her name before. I'd like to thank whoever posted this 45 year old clip for letting me and others see what happened.
In England, when we were being taught about this, this picture was always the one in the textbooks. Lovely to know she had a full life, came through it , raised her family , and was hard as a dogs head. Bless her
Can’t think of a pic that tells the story as well as hers. I can’t remember how young I was when I first saw it (in school in the USA), but it’s a history lesson in one image. I never knew what the rest of her story was until this video. Strong woman, strong family.
It is so nice to see she and her children all survived and even thrived. I have seen her picture all my life and always found it so tragic. Bless her heart.
It's a relief to finally know what happened to her and the children, how their lives turned out; I always wondered. A hard-working woman who was glad for any job that made it possible for her to keep the family together - a true survivor of the times. God bless her.
I dont think for a moment that many of us can imagine how hard her life was, at 27 with five children and one on the way, and widowed. I've often seen her photo on various channels. She emerged and survived through a strong work ethic. Admirable.
@@MartinD9999100%. Amazing the comments following you demonstrate exactly the entitlement and ignorance of people. The ‘I’ll moan that I live in poverty but I’ll still be selfish and bring children in to such a life’ attitude.
@@HowieHoward-ti3dx We found him. The self entitled selfish ‘I live in poverty but it’s my right to being innocent children in to the world but I’ll still moan I can’t afford to bring them up’ brigade.
There's a LOT of young people today that wouldn't last a day in her shoes. Self reliant, determined, and hard working. Having kids that think the world of you is a priceless reward.
They didn't in her day either. That's why the took their own lives. There are tough people living today as well as some that can adapt just like in her day. People always say the young people are worthless and couldn't survive. I heard in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s as well as the last 25 years. Even in the last 25 years some of those are in school and will be our doctors in our senior years.
@@57WillysCJ Kids today are crying because the Dems lost... Back then, many kids 14-16 were already working a full time job just so they could eat. That's just a FACT.
@@zyxw2000I studied her in my college art classes and she was mentioned in my history classes as well. She was an inspiration for my parents who lived through the Depression when they were young as well-and she should be a lesson for young people too!
@@stephenhipp7859 Well, we should care. Her being Native means she faced even more hardships than a lot others. That's just the reality of the treatment Native people faced and still face in N. America. I'd say she's the epitome of *Cherokee* resilience. That's her nation.
I cannot believe i just happened upon this video. I have two of her photographs framed on my living room wall. Bought them on E-bay several years ago. Now I know her name. What a great lady. Her beautiful family is why she worked so hard all her life. I am going to print her name and who she was and put on the back of each picture. Thank you Florence Leona Thompson for having such an interesting life.
I worked with the child on the left circa late 90's early 2000's, she was a temp at a company called Racor in Modesto CA. She was a delight. Very hard working family for sure!
And that's what ppl were once made of. Ten times tougher than me, a hundred times tougher. What a legacy she left. God bless her memory. RIP Florence. Thank you for posting this. I've often wondered what became of her and her children.
All of my grandparents and to a lesser extent my parents lived through the Depression. That experience colored their every attitude and important decision.
Stephen my parents lived through the Great depression and their experiences shaped us boomers! That's why we boomers didn't complain or take action when wronged which made millennials scorn us! But we were taught be silent be thankful for u never know when the bottom of your world will fall out!
In case you are wondering, *_Florence_* is the type of person that built the _United States_ and _Canada._ Resilient and hard as nails. The never expected anything handout so or gimmes nor did they harbour any expectations if entitlement. From when the first when _Europeans_ landed in North America until the mid-twentieth century, the _Americas_ were only for the hearty, the bold and the resilient. The weak would not survive the passage. Only the strongest made it. Only the strongest could. *_They were like her._*
WOW. This article just came thru my UA-cam feed. Im a 91 yr old curmudgeonly #NavyVeteranKorea n farm raised in N.Michigan. Depression/WW2 era. Ive always remembered this photo . And wondered once in awhile what hsppened to this mother n her family . We struggled in Antrim county Michigan. But never were homeless.
@alphaomega5909. Hi! I'm sitting here next to my 91 year old mother watching this video and reading your comment. She was born March 7 of '33. Unfortunately , she cannot see well enough to read or type comments but I'd like to thank you for your service and for building up a country where we could prosper and have a nice life. It's going to hell now but that is a plan beyond our sphere of influence. It is still for the time being a great country because there are still good people in it. God bless you. 🙂🙏
Thank you for bringing us the name of the face that has brought tears to me and so many. Nothing is sadder than seeing your children hungry and needy. God bless her soul and her family.
WOW !!! That woman knew hardship that we are incapable of imagining . Five children . One on the way and a widow . I think there are some people out there who think their life is hopeless and tragic They should watch this news real and learn what hardship is
Who is peeling Onions. That Resolve and dedication are exactly what is missing in life Today. Rest easy Florence. You were a remarkable woman, mother , friend and wife.
Thank your for posting this. I am familiar with her photograph and now I know that she not survived and never lost hope. I just finished reading The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah about the dust bowl years. I would recommend it although it is heartbreaking.
My grandfather was only 15 ( lied about his age to employers) and traveled to work in Chicago and then to Oakland, CA and sent money back to New Mexico to support his older brothers and sisters who weren't as hospitable to him when he was an orphan by age five.
That's what it took to survive those times. My mom and dad grew up during the depression. My dad only had a 2nd grade education. He worked on the farm and helped take care of the fields and his siblings. My mom was a bit better off but she too worked hard.
Sounds like my grandparents. My granddad lived on a farm (I live on the very same farm now) and he said they at least never went hungry, but they didn't have much. They were lucky to have the farm AND his father worked on the NY Barge canal system during the summer months which gave him an added income. My grandfather at the age of 9 would have to drive a Model A all by himself over an hour's drive (in todays driving time, much longer then with a slow car) to pick his father up on Fridays & take him back to work on Monday. During the week he was running a dairy farm by the age of 9 all by himself with only younger brothers to help. He got appendicitis at 16 & fell out of a silo during the attack. He missed so much school while recovering that when he went back, his math teacher told him he was 'too dumb to catch up', so he quit. His father lied about his age & got him a job at a wire mill until WWII. He wasn't dumb at all - he ended up being a generator specialist in the Galapagos Islands during the war & came back & was an electric lineman! My grandma was raised in a city family where both parents had a job the entire depression, so you could say she was 'spoiled' LOL. My other grandparents had it much rougher.
Both grandma's and one grandpa came from the Oklahoma dust-bowl. I have one old photo of them at a picnic with my dad just before heading west to California. Everything they had, tied onto a model "t" pickup truck. They taught me many things about being frugal. Saving money etc.. They were tough, smart, hard working people. They never blamed others for their lot in life. The thing I remember most was a saying Grandma used to repeat; "what's worth having is worth taking care of". Years later I realized she wasn't just talking about only simple material things. She was talking about your relationships, family, country and the man above.
What a STRONG and Wonderful American women. She and her family are the SALT of the earth. She reflects the value of being an AMERICAN. God bless you and your family.
You think people in other countries wouldn't get up before dawn and work all day to support their family? Her experience isn't merely American, but people around the world have faced hard times and not given up. Living through adversity isn't just an American thing.
@@scudfarcus4343 Nonsense. So why didn't Europeans remain in Europe making their own countries better instead running away by the millions to wreck other peoples' countries?
@@ulusalani The OP was making a positive statement about their and my home country. Nothing was said in any way to denounce your country or anyone else's country. Yet, you took it as some sort of negative reflection or reference. That's one of the main problems in today's world. You'll use any excuse to put down the U.S., but I'd bet you move here the first chance you got and take everything and anything you could get as long as it makes your life easier.
@@scudfarcus4343 Duh, I already live here, was born here. And I repeat: Surviving adversity is NOT just an American thing, people all around the world do it.
She made it out alive god bless. I’m glad her children are thriving and doing well. Well I’m sure it’s long passed but in retrospect it’s good to hear a part of history
My mother and her5 siblings lived through the depression. Fortunately for them my grandfather was a firefighter so he was one of the few that didn't lose his job. She never forgot how fortunate she was and reminded me and my siblings how fortunate we were.
When the reporter asked her if she ever lost hope, I thought to myself, this woman was too damn busy and didn't have time to loose hope. My parents suffered through the Great Depression too. They took work wherever they could to keep food on the table and a roof over their head. I doubt there are many Americans who have the grit to be able to survive such difficult times.
She was much like my mother. My mom was a really beautiful woman, very like Deborah Kerr, but prettier. Truly, no exaggeration. She wouldn't remarry, though she was asked a lot, saying anyone who wasn't daddy wouldn't love us like we were his. There was 8 of us kids, and Mama worked so hard. Poor, but she said it's no shame to be poor, but waters free, and soap is cheap. Always be clean. Her health was bad, but she refused to give us up, when people wanted to adopt us. We were very close, & even when she died we didn't let that change, we're all still close. I've always felt very blessed to have my family, & my Mama. She loved us more than anything.
Her strength and fortitude are a pure example of you do what you've gotta do when you're a mom. When you feel like you want to lay down and give up, you find your backbone for your kids. You may need to cry in private pretty often, but you wake up every day and tell yourself, "I'm mom. I can't give up. There's no choice. I've got to get through this day."
I became interested in the Dust Bowl after reading the excellent book ‘The Worst Hard Time’, a fascinating book by Timothy Egan. I traveled to the towns surrounding the epicenter - Boise City, OK, Clayton, NM, and Dalhart, TX. Visited cemeteries and the markers of many of the folks in his book. If we ever think WE are experiencing difficulties, this book puts things in proper perspective.
Same as my Great-grandmother, she had 5 kids. Live live in Bunk houses tents She picked a lot of fruit. She work for a logging company cooking. She was an excellent cook.She could take a sole of a shoe and turned it Into a gourmet meal.
I remember seeing that photo in school and always wondered what happened to this woman and her family. I’m happy to see that they muddled through okay, look how big that family is!
A classic of photography. If a face ever symbolized need and suffering, it was her face . I always wondered what became of her and those little kids . Glad to see she survived in spite of those hard times and that her kids ended up looking up to her because of her strength of character that made her do what was needed to make it through the bad times and help her children. What a difference, people in those days from todays woke self indulgent cry babies, who would certainly have died of starvation .
I've always been somewhat curious about the woman and her kids in those pictures. This news report has obviously been done in the 70s so it's pretty old, but even so, it's nice to finally know what became of her and her children.
She was a strong woman. Wish they would say the whole story. She is buried with her 2nd husband, where I will be buried. Lakewood Memorial Park Hughson, California. She has a beautiful bronze stone plate with a scenic scene of mountains high. Reminds me kind of her being set free. Florence or her children never made a dime off that worldwide famous photo because it was owned by the government. The photographer was an employee of the government. So it was made public. Florence will not be forgotten.
i am the grandson of dust bowl migrants c.o.and elizabeth cardwell of shafter california my grandmother picked cotton with mrs thompson. my mother marjorie cardwell worked at mettlers potato shed in shafter , the seeds of the dust bowl were planted in the san Joaquín valley . my mom is still with us at the age of 90 she is in hospice care as i text this . to my grandparents who i am so proud of moms coming home . the first shall be last
We did include that in the video description, and agree that's important: "NBC's Bob Dotson reports on the Great Depression and the so-called "Dust Bowl Mona Lisa," Florence Thompson, who was made famous when photographer Dorothea Lange took her picture at a Nipomo, California migrant farm worker camp in 1936. NBC Nightly News, October 30, 1979. Introduction by John Chancellor."
Well, obviously we can surmise that most people don't read descriptions (myself included in this case) as YT is a Video service and that's what viewers do-watch and listen. For the overwhelming majority, if it's not in the video, they're not getting it...but thanks for responding and point out the info.
A note: Dorothea Lange shot this photo of Florence Thompson, titled “Migrant Mother” in Nipomo, California in March 1936. The photo was slightly altered by the photographer, who chose to edit out the image of Ms. Thompson left hand as it lay resting on her lap, as Lange felt it detracted from the overall image. Bless this woman…she is a star of hope and dedication to family.💕
These people deserve our respect...not the Kardashians.
Well , public here had chosen Kardashian gettho thing instead of .
AMEN TO THAT!!
Maybe we have big enough hearts to appreciate both. They suggest the American Dream is alive and very well. Each is very attractive in multiple ways. I love that they are not shy about their faith in God and the Bible. Super sweet girls with family oriented values, real and down to earth yet FABULOUS!
Years ago I worked in an office where the ladies from the secretarial pool would gather around the front desk to gab abut the Kardashians. It amazed me how anyone would spend so much time watching that stupid reality show and then talking about it as though it was important.
@rr7firefly man..talk about having NO LIFE! The Kardashian's are a waste of time, space, and oxygen!
Thompson died of "stroke, cancer and heart problems" at Scotts Valley, California, on September 16, 1983, at age 80.[27][28] She was buried in Lakewood Memorial Park, in Hughson, California, and her gravestone reads: "FLORENCE LEONA THOMPSON Migrant Mother - A Legend of the Strength of American Motherhood."
@H.L.-fj6zd.. My mom was born in the back woods of W.VA to poor abusive parents with 9 additional kids. She escaped when she was 17 and made a new life in a different state. She never finished school and bc she had a bad stammer, always thought she wasn't smart enough to go back. She cleaned houses until her mid 70s and made sure I always had everything I needed. Food, a home, and a good education, and her name was Flo. These women are unknown heroes. There are probably more like them, but unfortunately, they are lost to time and history.
@pennierkaide4985 A Women like your mother was was actually the majority in those days. I wish we could say the same today. Instead of toughening up it seems they just complain more and pity themselves. Women AND Men.
@@pennierkaide4985A beautiful tribute to the memory of your Mom.
And she went straight to heaven. She had it coming.
I've seen this woman's face from time to time over the past 72 yearsc and wondered what happened to her and her children. I don't recall ever hearing her name before. I'd like to thank whoever posted this 45 year old clip for letting me and others see what happened.
I felt the same way when I came across the story in our Archive. It was a great idea for a story by the reporter (Dotson)!
Me too.
I’m exactly the same.
In England, when we were being taught about this, this picture was always the one in the textbooks.
Lovely to know she had a full life, came through it , raised her family , and was hard as a dogs head.
Bless her
Can’t think of a pic that tells the story as well as hers. I can’t remember how young I was when I first saw it (in school in the USA), but it’s a history lesson in one image. I never knew what the rest of her story was until this video. Strong woman, strong family.
“Nobody owes us anything”. This is what everyone should be thinking.
so basic human dignity is out too? no sense in showing others their inherent dignity. let them eat scraps...
An amazing story. Florence died in 1983.
It is so nice to see she and her children all survived and even thrived. I have seen her picture all my life and always found it so tragic. Bless her heart.
It's a relief to finally know what happened to her and the children, how their lives turned out; I always wondered. A hard-working woman who was glad for any job that made it possible for her to keep the family together - a true survivor of the times. God bless her.
I dont think for a moment that many of us can imagine how hard her life was, at 27 with five children and one on the way, and widowed. I've often seen her photo on various channels. She emerged and survived through a strong work ethic. Admirable.
@@MartinD9999 don't open your mouth. Keep it closed.
@@MartinD9999they didnt have birth control at the time....
@@MartinD9999100%. Amazing the comments following you demonstrate exactly the entitlement and ignorance of people. The ‘I’ll moan that I live in poverty but I’ll still be selfish and bring children in to such a life’ attitude.
@@HowieHoward-ti3dx
We found him. The self entitled selfish ‘I live in poverty but it’s my right to being innocent children in to the world but I’ll still moan I can’t afford to bring them up’ brigade.
@@angelasupak3531ummm. Yes they did. They didn’t have the pill. But they had other methods. Condoms existed for example.
There's a LOT of young people today that wouldn't last a day in her shoes. Self reliant, determined, and hard working. Having kids that think the world of you is a priceless reward.
Idk about that. Literally every generation has downloaded the following generations from the time of Societies.
You're so right. None of those woke, self indulgent cry babies would have made it through the depression. They would have starved to death .
@@garylefevers It's a FACT. This is part of the reason you hardly can find young people to WORK.
They didn't in her day either. That's why the took their own lives. There are tough people living today as well as some that can adapt just like in her day. People always say the young people are worthless and couldn't survive. I heard in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s as well as the last 25 years. Even in the last 25 years some of those are in school and will be our doctors in our senior years.
@@57WillysCJ Kids today are crying because the Dems lost... Back then, many kids 14-16 were already working a full time job just so they could eat. That's just a FACT.
I think her face shows a will and determination that are beautiful.
That's why the photo became so famous. Dorothea Lange was a great photographer.
@@zyxw2000I studied her in my college art classes and she was mentioned in my history classes as well. She was an inspiration for my parents who lived through the Depression when they were young as well-and she should be a lesson for young people too!
She remained strikingly beautiful. She was of Cherokee and European descent, something I think few people know.
I thought that as soon as I saw her.
@@nicolad8822 Yeah, it's really clear, I think, but only if you know a bit of about the Indigenous peoples here.
Or care about.
She's the epitome of America and it's resilience.
@@stephenhipp7859 Well, we should care. Her being Native means she faced even more hardships than a lot others. That's just the reality of the treatment Native people faced and still face in N. America. I'd say she's the epitome of *Cherokee* resilience. That's her nation.
@@CharlotteIssyvoo There is no such thing as a Cherokee nation and you shouldn't feel sorry for them.
God Bless her GRIT!
Wow, to finally hear a voice with the picture I've seen in history books since I was in high school! Ty.
You're welcome!
Surely the most iconic face of 1930s America. As inspirational as you could ever be
Definitely and at the same time the photo was taken another Owens was training for the Olympics just six months away.
I cannot believe i just happened upon this video. I have two of her photographs framed on my living room wall. Bought them on E-bay several years ago. Now I know her name. What a great lady. Her beautiful family is why she worked so hard all her life. I am going to print her name and who she was and put on the back of each picture. Thank you Florence Leona Thompson for having such an interesting life.
I worked with the child on the left circa late 90's early 2000's, she was a temp at a company called Racor in Modesto CA. She was a delight. Very hard working family for sure!
And that's what ppl were once made of. Ten times tougher than me, a hundred times tougher. What a legacy she left. God bless her memory. RIP Florence. Thank you for posting this. I've often wondered what became of her and her children.
you'll learn
What a great documentary. I'm glad to find out what happened to her. Thanks.
Great woman
All of my grandparents and to a lesser extent my parents lived through the Depression. That experience colored their every attitude and important decision.
Stephen my parents lived through the Great depression and their experiences shaped us boomers! That's why we boomers didn't complain or take action when wronged which made millennials scorn us! But we were taught be silent be thankful for u never know when the bottom of your world will fall out!
In case you are wondering, *_Florence_* is the type of person that built the _United States_ and _Canada._ Resilient and hard as nails. The never expected anything handout so or gimmes nor did they harbour any expectations if entitlement.
From when the first when _Europeans_ landed in North America until the mid-twentieth century, the _Americas_ were only for the hearty, the bold and the resilient. The weak would not survive the passage. Only the strongest made it. Only the strongest could.
*_They were like her._*
Thank you for sharing their life after the photos. I've always wondered what happened to them.
Me, too: I really enjoyed Dotson's reporting here (and was glad it hadn't ended in tragedy).
WOW. This article just came thru my UA-cam feed. Im a 91 yr old curmudgeonly #NavyVeteranKorea n farm raised in N.Michigan. Depression/WW2 era. Ive always remembered this photo . And wondered once in awhile what hsppened to this mother n her family . We struggled in Antrim county Michigan. But never were homeless.
@alphaomega5909. Hi! I'm sitting here next to my 91 year old mother watching this video and reading your comment. She was born March 7 of '33. Unfortunately , she cannot see well enough to read or type comments but I'd like to thank you for your service and for building up a country where we could prosper and have a nice life. It's going to hell now but that is a plan beyond our sphere of influence. It is still for the time being a great country because there are still good people in it. God bless you. 🙂🙏
Thank you for your service 🕊️🇺🇸
@helenahawk7752 You are Welcome. I did enjoy nearly all of my Navy yrs. God Bless you n yours.
@@rickhinojosa5455 You made my evening with your reply here. Give your beloved Mom a hug from an old Flirt,ME. 😎💙⚓
@alphaomega5909 Will do! 😁🙏
Thank you for bringing us the name of the face that has brought tears to me and so many. Nothing is sadder than seeing your children hungry and needy. God bless her soul and her family.
She had INTEGRITY, and passed it on! Morals change, Integrity remains the same!
The Dust Bowl was a great tragedy of its time. But the tenacity of those who survived is what makes America great!
WOW !!! That woman knew hardship that we are incapable of imagining . Five children . One on the way and a widow . I think there are some people out there who think their life is hopeless and tragic They should watch this news real and learn what hardship is
Who is peeling Onions. That Resolve and dedication are exactly what is missing in life Today.
Rest easy Florence. You were a remarkable woman, mother , friend and wife.
They should make capitalism even harder on the poor so that people can gain the same experience she did ♥️✝️
Just wow. That is the American spirit...
Correction. That WAS the American spirit.
So glad to finally see the rest of the story. Always wondered what happened to her. Thanks....
What a haunting and memorable photo that is. Thank you for giving us"the rest of the story".
Thank your for posting this. I am familiar with her photograph and now I know that she not survived and never lost hope. I just finished reading The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah about the dust bowl years. I would recommend it although it is heartbreaking.
My grandfather was only 15 ( lied about his age to employers) and traveled to work in Chicago and then to Oakland, CA and sent money back to New Mexico to support his older brothers and sisters who weren't as hospitable to him when he was an orphan by age five.
Lot of CCC workers sent what they could back to their families.
no welfare, no food stamps, no medical, no sec. 8 housing. you work or you DIE ! sure do miss the old days.
I have a fond memory of the photo showing Florence Thompson during the Dust Bowl. She was an inspiration indeed.
I think more people today need to see this.
Her situation would have broken most people. She had determination of steel.
Amazing. Thanks to whoever posted this,
Glad you enjoyed it!
That's what it took to survive those times. My mom and dad grew up during the depression. My dad only had a 2nd grade education. He worked on the farm and helped take care of the fields and his siblings. My mom was a bit better off but she too worked hard.
Sounds like my grandparents. My granddad lived on a farm (I live on the very same farm now) and he said they at least never went hungry, but they didn't have much. They were lucky to have the farm AND his father worked on the NY Barge canal system during the summer months which gave him an added income. My grandfather at the age of 9 would have to drive a Model A all by himself over an hour's drive (in todays driving time, much longer then with a slow car) to pick his father up on Fridays & take him back to work on Monday. During the week he was running a dairy farm by the age of 9 all by himself with only younger brothers to help. He got appendicitis at 16 & fell out of a silo during the attack. He missed so much school while recovering that when he went back, his math teacher told him he was 'too dumb to catch up', so he quit. His father lied about his age & got him a job at a wire mill until WWII. He wasn't dumb at all - he ended up being a generator specialist in the Galapagos Islands during the war & came back & was an electric lineman! My grandma was raised in a city family where both parents had a job the entire depression, so you could say she was 'spoiled' LOL. My other grandparents had it much rougher.
I have seen her face for years in articles about the dustbowl. She had the most important thing money can’t buy, a loving family.
Both grandma's and one grandpa came from the Oklahoma dust-bowl. I have one old photo of them at a picnic with my dad just before heading west to California. Everything they had, tied onto a model "t" pickup truck. They taught me many things about being frugal. Saving money etc.. They were tough, smart, hard working people. They never blamed others for their lot in life. The thing I remember most was a saying Grandma used to repeat; "what's worth having is worth taking care of". Years later I realized she wasn't just talking about only simple material things. She was talking about your relationships, family, country and the man above.
What a STRONG and Wonderful American women. She and her family are the SALT of the earth. She reflects the value of being an AMERICAN. God bless you and your family.
You think people in other countries wouldn't get up before dawn and work all day to support their family? Her experience isn't merely American, but people around the world have faced hard times and not given up. Living through adversity isn't just an American thing.
@@scudfarcus4343 Nonsense. So why didn't Europeans remain in Europe making their own countries better instead running away by the millions to wreck other peoples' countries?
@@ulusalani The OP was making a positive statement about their and my home country. Nothing was said in any way to denounce your country or anyone else's country. Yet, you took it as some sort of negative reflection or reference. That's one of the main problems in today's world. You'll use any excuse to put down the U.S., but I'd bet you move here the first chance you got and take everything and anything you could get as long as it makes your life easier.
@@scudfarcus4343 Duh, I already live here, was born here. And I repeat: Surviving adversity is NOT just an American thing, people all around the world do it.
She made it out alive god bless. I’m glad her children are thriving and doing well. Well I’m sure it’s long passed but in retrospect it’s good to hear a part of history
And today's kids have a $5 hamburger delivered by Uber Eats and pay a $20 delivery charge because they're too lazy to drive...
Where do you find a $5 burger? 15-20$ now.
I am too lazy to drive I guess because I don't have a car.
Lol, my grandma’s would say you drive because you’re to lazy to walk.
@@gordbaker896 🤣🤣Best reply to a comment, you get a trophy!
🏆
@@mattmammone2338 they don't do either.
This resonates in my soul, keep me stronger
Thank you for posting this.
Thanks: finding historic videos like this and sharing them is what we do!
So glad I came upon this. Her photo certainly is iconic of the Great depression. Immediately evokes Grapes of Wrath.
My mother and her5 siblings lived through the depression. Fortunately for them my grandfather was a firefighter so he was one of the few that didn't lose his job. She never forgot how fortunate she was and reminded me and my siblings how fortunate we were.
Many thanks for the video !! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
So this is the voice, Family and life of this famous woman.
Greetings from Colombia 🇨🇴!
When the reporter asked her if she ever lost hope, I thought to myself, this woman was too damn busy and didn't have time to loose hope. My parents suffered through the Great Depression too. They took work wherever they could to keep food on the table and a roof over their head. I doubt there are many Americans who have the grit to be able to survive such difficult times.
Thank you so much for posting this wonderful video. I never knew she was a widow. 😢
The Library of Congress titled the image: "Destitute pea pickers in California. Mother of seven children. Age thirty-two. Nipomo, California."
Florence Owens Thompson (1903 --- 83); photographed in 1936 by Dorothea Lange...
A tough lady who did what she had to to survive and take care of her kids. Respect to her.
this is fascinating and should be required viewing in every school!
She was much like my mother. My mom was a really beautiful woman, very like Deborah Kerr, but prettier. Truly, no exaggeration. She wouldn't remarry, though she was asked a lot, saying anyone who wasn't daddy wouldn't love us like we were his. There was 8 of us kids, and Mama worked so hard. Poor, but she said it's no shame to be poor, but waters free, and soap is cheap. Always be clean. Her health was bad, but she refused to give us up, when people wanted to adopt us. We were very close, & even when she died we didn't let that change, we're all still close. I've always felt very blessed to have my family, & my Mama. She loved us more than anything.
“She gave us all a sense of worth that nobody owes us anything.” Wow, it’s just the opposite in the American society today.
Her strength and fortitude are a pure example of you do what you've gotta do when you're a mom. When you feel like you want to lay down and give up, you find your backbone for your kids. You may need to cry in private pretty often, but you wake up every day and tell yourself, "I'm mom. I can't give up. There's no choice. I've got to get through this day."
I became interested in the Dust Bowl after reading the excellent book ‘The Worst Hard Time’, a fascinating book by Timothy Egan. I traveled to the towns surrounding the epicenter - Boise City, OK, Clayton, NM, and Dalhart, TX. Visited cemeteries and the markers of many of the folks in his book. If we ever think WE are experiencing difficulties, this book puts things in proper perspective.
Wow. What an amazing story of strength.
Same as my Great-grandmother, she had 5 kids. Live live in Bunk houses tents She picked a lot of fruit. She work for a logging company cooking. She was an excellent cook.She could take a sole of a shoe and turned it Into a gourmet meal.
her face describes the horrible situation the nation was in. What a strength that woman had.
I remember seeing that photo in school and always wondered what happened to this woman and her family. I’m happy to see that they muddled through okay, look how big that family is!
OMG thank you UA-cam for sending me this.
My dad (one of nine children) grew up in the depression, and was thankful that he went through it.
What an amazing woman!
She reminded me of my mom. Mom raised 6 kids alone.
What a lady. I'm in awe.
Thanks for sharing on this beautiful warrior woman!
A classic of photography. If a face ever symbolized need and suffering, it was her face . I always wondered what became of her and those little kids . Glad to see she survived in spite of those hard times and that her kids ended up looking up to her because of her strength of character that made her do what was needed to make it through the bad times and help her children. What a difference, people in those days from todays woke self indulgent cry babies, who would certainly have died of starvation .
I've always been somewhat curious about the woman and her kids in those pictures. This news report has obviously been done in the 70s so it's pretty old, but even so, it's nice to finally know what became of her and her children.
Great find!!! Thanks for sharing…
The power of that woman has left me stunned.
That photo haunted me from the moment I saw it. It keeps coming to mind. I can't forget it and don't want to. I see my mother in her.
People had something called intestinal fortitude in those days...and the World was a better place for having them..
This iconic pic shows her quiet beauty!
Yes, she was stunningly beautiful inside and out.
This was absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I remember that photo from my photography class. I think she passed in 1983 at the age of 80. R.i.P.
I met her at Langston University. Very powerful photos.
Thanks for posting this. I've often wondered who this family was. Hard working good people
Thank you for sharing this!
tough as nails.
I've seen her in history books and documentaries. She's admirable for all she did to keep her family together and survive.
Humbled.
Wow. This was a walk through memory lane.
What a story. They should make a movie about her life.
This is from the days of my Grandmother! She had warmth, love and fire in her heart!
This should be mandatory viewing for all Gen Z when they cry about how hard life is.
She was a strong woman. Wish they would say the whole story. She is buried with her 2nd husband, where I will be buried. Lakewood Memorial Park Hughson, California.
She has a beautiful bronze stone plate with a scenic scene of mountains high. Reminds me kind of her being set free.
Florence or her children never made a dime off that worldwide famous photo because it was owned by the government. The photographer was an employee of the government. So it was made public. Florence will not be forgotten.
Amazing story of love, strength, hope and resilience.
i am the grandson of dust bowl migrants c.o.and elizabeth cardwell of shafter california my grandmother picked cotton with mrs thompson. my mother marjorie cardwell worked at mettlers potato shed in shafter , the seeds of the dust bowl were planted in the san Joaquín valley . my mom is still with us at the age of 90 she is in hospice care as i text this . to my grandparents who i am so proud of moms coming home . the first shall be last
People today are lost if their cell service goes out. What a week society we've become.
why do I have a lump in my throat now...and water in my eyes...This is how THE GREATEST GENERATION earned it's name.
Wonderful lady, a very strong lady.
An amazing testament to resilience.
I miss John Chancellor.
Got here from Knuckledraggin!
How does one do a story about one of the most famous photos of all time without mentioning the person who took the shot: Dorothea Lange ????
We did include that in the video description, and agree that's important: "NBC's Bob Dotson reports on the Great Depression and the so-called "Dust Bowl Mona Lisa," Florence Thompson, who was made famous when photographer Dorothea Lange took her picture at a Nipomo, California migrant farm worker camp in 1936. NBC Nightly News, October 30, 1979. Introduction by John Chancellor."
Well, obviously we can surmise that most people don't read descriptions (myself included in this case) as YT is a Video service and that's what viewers do-watch and listen. For the overwhelming majority, if it's not in the video, they're not getting it...but thanks for responding and point out the info.
Respect
A note: Dorothea Lange shot this photo of Florence Thompson, titled “Migrant Mother” in Nipomo, California in March 1936. The photo was slightly altered by the photographer, who chose to edit out the image of Ms. Thompson left hand as it lay resting on her lap, as Lange felt it detracted from the overall image. Bless this woman…she is a star of hope and dedication to family.💕