Photographer Maria Varela Reflects On Her Work Covering The Civil Rights Movement

November 24, 2017 – Mexican-American photographer Maria Varela was present at some of the most dramatic moments of the Civil Rights Movement.

She captured images of voting rights demonstrations in Alabama and efforts to create Head Start programs in poor, rural areas of the American South. The Albuquerque resident’s work was the subject of photography exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago last spring, where 28 pieces were shown to the public

Russell Contreras sat down with Varela in May to discuss her role with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and her work as a photographer in the Civil Rights Movement.

Further reading:
Time to Get Ready: Fotografía Social
PBS: Black Culture Connection