Asset

Date of ingest: 23 April 2026

Description: "This photograph captures the Women’s World Peace Meeting held at the Hollywood Bowl on November 11, 1921—an extraordinary gathering that situates Los Angeles within a global movement for peace in the aftermath of World War I. Taken before the construction of the Bowl’s iconic shell, the image reveals the site in its earliest form: an open, natural amphitheater where thousands assembled, united by a shared call to prevent future conflict. The event brought together approximately 5,000 women representing more than twenty nations, alongside veterans, civic leaders, and community members. Particularly striking is the interracial nature of the gathering, including the presence of a Black women’s choir performing spirituals—an uncommon and powerful expression of inclusion during a period marked by deep racial segregation in the United States. The hillside inscription of the word “Peace,” visible in the background, underscores the symbolic and aspirational purpose of the assembly. Among those present was Artie Mason Carter, a founder of the Hollywood Bowl and a passionate advocate for music as a tool for civic life, community building, and democratic participation. Her vision is reflected in the gathering itself, where music, speech, and collective action converged. This image reveals the Hollywood Bowl not only as a site for performance, but as a place where artistic expression and public life intersect. It preserves a moment when a local landscape became a platform for international dialogue—an idea that continues to resonate today."