The Only Woman

The first book to identify the phenomenon of lone women making their way into a man's world, shown through 100 group portraits each featuring only one woman

An original approach to gender equality, this striking pictorial statement brings to light the compelling and undeniable phenomenon of 'the only woman': across time and cultures, groups of artists, activists, scientists, servants, movie stars, or metal workers have often included exactly and only one woman. Covering intriguing examples from nearly 20 countries, from the advent of photography until the present day, and including such famous faces as Shirley Chisholm, Emmeline Pankhurst, Marlene Dietrich, and Jane Campion, author Immy Humes reveals and reframes how women and men have related socially in surprising and poignant ways. This is a fresh contribution to the visual and cultural history of the past 150 years, full of unheard stories, outrage, mystery, and fun.

“' The Only Woman dramatizes the high price of tokenism.' - Gloria Steinem 'It only takes one woman to make magic!' - Diane von Furstenberg 'A fascinating new book ... rich pickings.' - Samira Ahmed, Front Row, BBC Radio 4 'A simple but powerful premise.' - Amanpour & Co. 'Immy Humes' portrays a compelling gallery of women who paved the way in journalism, politics and beyond.' - The Telegraph 'A compelling reflection on history and culture.' - Cool Hunting '[One of] the year';s most giftable coffee table books.' - New York Magazine Strategist 'Ingenious.' - Elephant 'Serves as a powerful recount of women's roles in society and the ongoing fight for a seat at the table.' - Galerie 'Deeply satisfying.' - Hyperallergic 'A giftable glimpse of history.' - Bookpage 'Women that pushed their way into the shots, climbed the ladder, and used their voices -- the most powerful weapon we have -- to make change.' - Sandra Maas, Trailblazing Women Series at the Women's Museum of California '100 group photos from throughout the history of photography, each of which features only one woman, while examining social equality.' - Publishers Weekly 'Get ready for a fascinating glimpse into history's unsung glass ceiling breakers.' - Stylist 'Will make for some really good conversations, and you'll learn a lot too.' - The Stripe 'Fascinating history.' - Jessica Bennett, Wait Really? 'A unique focus on women and men in public life from 1860 to the present day.' - Avocado Diaries”

'The Only Woman dramatizes the high price of tokenism.' – Gloria Steinem

'It only takes one woman to make magic!' – Diane von Furstenberg

'A fascinating new book ... rich pickings.' – Samira Ahmed, Front Row, BBC Radio 4

'A simple but powerful premise.' – Amanpour & Co.

‘With few words, [this] book speaks volumes.’ – NPR

'Immy Humes portrays a compelling gallery of women who paved the way in journalism, politics and beyond.' –Telegraph

‘Images and backstories of figures … as well as a bevy of unknowns, who defiantly left their mark on a man’s world.’ – Oprah Daily

'A compelling reflection on history and culture.' – Cool Hunting

'[One of] the year';s most giftable coffee table books.' – New York Magazine, The Strategist

'Ingenious.' – Elephant

'Serves as a powerful recount of women's roles in society and the ongoing fight for a seat at the table.' – Galerie

'Deeply satisfying.' – Hyperallergic

'A giftable glimpse of history.' – Bookpage

'Women that pushed their way into the shots, climbed the ladder, and used their voices – the most powerful weapon we have – to make change.' – Sandra Maas, Trailblazing Women Series at the Women's Museum of California

'100 group photos from throughout the history of photography, each of which features only one woman, while examining social equality.' – Publishers Weekly

'Get ready for a fascinating glimpse into history's unsung glass ceiling breakers.' – Stylist

'Will make for some really good conversations, and you'll learn a lot too.' – The Stripe

'Fascinating history.' – Jessica Bennett, Wait Really?

'A unique focus on women and men in public life from 1860 to the present day.' – Avocado Diaries

Immy Humes is an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker from New York whose work treats social and political themes through the prism of real stories about unconventional people. She has been pursuing the idea of 'the only woman' for years collecting historical photos to capture and investigate the breadth of the phenomenon.

The first book to identify the phenomenon of lone women making their way into a man's world, shown through 100 group portraits each featuring only one woman An original approach to gender equality, this striking pictorial statement brings to light the compelling and undeniable phenomenon of 'the only woman': across time and cultures, groups of artists, activists, scientists, servants, movie stars, or metal workers have often included exactly and only one woman. Covering intriguing examples from nearly 20 countries, from the advent of photography until the present day, and including such famous faces as Shirley Chisholm, Emmeline Pankhurst, Marlene Dietrich, and Jane Campion, author Immy Humes reveals and reframes how women and men have related socially in surprising and poignant ways. This is a fresh contribution to the visual and cultural history of the past 150 years, full of unheard stories, outrage, mystery, and fun.

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