The Economic Times

In 1880s, this woman entered photography when few women could build careers. By 1900, she was photographing US presidents and became one of America's first famous female photographers

Frances Benjamin Johnston entered photography in the 1880s when few women pursued professional careers. Gifted a Kodak No. 1 by George Eastman in 1887, she trained at the Smithsonian and later photographed US presidents, political figures and socialites. She also documented workers, farmers, coal miners and African American students. By 1900, her photographs were displayed at the Paris Exposition, establishing her as one of America's pioneering female photographers.