19 Vintage Photos That Celebrate Black Women's Beauty

The new book Vintage Black Glamour is filled with beautiful and inspiring images of black women throughout the 20th century. Here's a look at some of them.

1. Valaida Snow

Associated News

Snow is pictured conducting an orchestra in London, October 1934.

2. Pearl Primus

Carl Van Vechten/Van Vechten Trust/Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Carl Van Vechten

Primus was a dancer and choreographer known for creating dances like “Strange Fruit” and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.”

3. Margot Webb

Associated News

The dancer is pictured in 1934.

4. Margaret Tynes

Carl Van Vechten/Van Vechten Trust/Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Carl Van Vechten

The internationally known singer is pictured in 1959.

5. Josephine Baker

Associated News

The dancer, singer, and actress is pictured in Château des Milandes, her home from 1937 to 1969.

6. Adelaide Hall

Associated News

The entertainer is pictured in 1928.

7. Ivie Anderson

Associated News

Anderson is pictured performing with Duke Ellington circa 1935.

8. Charlotte Hawkins Brown

Associated News

Brown founded the Palmer Memorial Institute, a day and boarding school for African-Americans, in 1902. The educator and author is pictured here on her wedding day in 1911.

9. Lena Horne

Associated News

Horne was an American actress, singer, dancer, and civil rights activist.

10. A Taste Of Honey

Associated News

Janice Marie Johnson (left) and Hazel Payne (right) were the duo known as A Taste of Honey, responsible for the 1978 hit "Boogie Oogie Oogie."

11. Mary Lou Williams

Associated News

The jazz musician and composer is pictured circa 1944.

12. Maria Cole

Associated News

Cole is pictured in 1948, trying on one of her gifts at a party in Harlem celebrating her marriage to Nat “King” Cole.

13. Nina Simone

Charles “Teenie” Harris / Via Associated News

The musician is pictured in Pittsburgh circa 1965.

14. Princess Kouka of Sudan

Associated News

The princess is pictured in her role in the 1937 movie Jericho.

15. Sarah Vaughan

Associated News

The American jazz singer is pictured in London in 1960.

16. Dame Shirley Bassey

Associated News

The Welsh singer is pictured before a performance in 1960.

17. Sister Sledge

Associated News

The sisters (left to right: Kathy, Debbie, Kim, and Joni) are pictured in 1981.

18. Theresa Harris

UCL Department of Culture

The Houston-born actress appeared on television, radio, and in movies.

19. Margaret Tynes and Joya Sherrill

CBS Photo Archive / Via Associated News

The entertainers are pictured with Duke Ellington in 1957.

A second printing of Vintage Black Glamour will be released in February; pre-order it here.

Nichelle Gainer/Rocket88

Jan. 15, 2015, at 15:17 PM

"Boogie Oogie Oogie" was a hit in 1978. A previous version of this story misstated the year.