History

Portraits for the Home Front: The Story of Elizabeth Black

Leaving a promising art career behind, Pittsburgh native Elizabeth Black volunteered with the American Red Cross during World War II. She sketched more than 1,000 portraits of soldiers, sailors and airmen in England, France, Luxemburg, Holland, Germany and Belgium. Seven decades later, her son John retraces his mother’s footsteps in her hometown to learn more about her talent, service and legacy.

Portraits for the Home Front: The Story of Elizabeth Black

58m 25s

Leaving a promising art career behind, Pittsburgh native Elizabeth Black volunteered with the American Red Cross during World War II. She sketched more than 1,000 portraits of soldiers, sailors and airmen in England, France, Luxemburg, Holland, Germany and Belgium. Seven decades later, her son John retraces his mother’s footsteps in her hometown to learn more about her talent, service and legacy.

Episodes

  • Portraits for the Home Front: The Story of Elizabeth Black: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Portraits for the Home Front: The Story of Elizabeth Black

    58m 25s

    Leaving a promising art career behind, Pittsburgh native Elizabeth Black volunteered with the American Red Cross during World War II. She sketched more than 1,000 portraits of soldiers, sailors and airmen in England, France, Luxemburg, Holland, Germany and Belgium. Seven decades later, her son John retraces his mother’s footsteps in her hometown to learn more about her talent, service and legacy.

Schedule

  • Portraits for the Home Front: The Story of Elizabeth Black: TVSS: Iconic

    Portraits for the Home Front: The Story of Elizabeth Black

    Wednesday
    Mar 26

    1 Hour

    World War 2 Red Cross volunteer Elizabeth Black sketches soldiers throughout Europe and send the treasured portraits to worried families back home. Seventy years later, Black's son uncovered her fascinating memorabilia and shared it with WQED.

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