Photoactivism: Olive Robbins Pierce '45

Urban teenagers, Maine fishermen, and Iraqi children may not seem to have a lot in common, but they do for Olive Robbins Pierce ’45. A photographer who specializes in documentary photography, Pierce has a desire to combat stereotypes about marginalized people through her work. “I do it because I’m drawn by something—by ignorance,” she said recently.

Several years ago, Pierce became concerned about the political situation in Iraq. She participated in protests, but eventually decided that “the most useful thing [she] could do as a photographer would be to go over there and take pictures of children hurt by economic sanctions.” So, in 1999, that’s exactly what she did. “It was a way of doing something with my feelings,” she said.

Though the collection of Iraq photos has yet to find a publisher, Pierce has kept busy. Last year, she photographed clashing war protests that took place on a Maine bridge. She then coordinated with peace groups and a branch of the American Legion to create an exhibit comprised of pictures from both sides of the demonstrations.

The show fit perfectly with one of the central themes of Pierce’s work: which is the need to raise awareness and break down the ignorance that separates groups of people. Pierce believes, “We’re so much more alike, really, than what divides us.”