American Gothic photo, Washington DC, 1942, Gordon Parks

"The Charwoman" (Chore Woman) by Gordon Parks, a photographer and filmmaker best known for his work with Life magazine. "The Charwoman" was one of Parks' early photographic essays, and was published in the magazine in 1948. The image features Ella Watson, an African American woman who worked as a charwoman, or cleaning woman, in Washington, D.C.

In the photograph, Watson is shown holding a mop, with a large American flag in the background. Parks intended the image to be a symbol of the injustices faced by African Americans in the post-World War II era, and to draw attention to the persistent inequality and discrimination faced by many African Americans in the United States.

"The Charwoman" is considered one of Parks' most powerful and influential images, and has been widely recognized as an iconic photograph of African American life in the mid-20th century. It remains an important work in the history of photography and a testament to Parks' commitment to using his art to address social and political issues.

This photo was highlighted in a film on Gordon Parks called "A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks" on HBO.