World War Two Photo of Barefoot, Young Girl Street-Sweeping in Italy, 1940s

Sakata

$24.99

  • Description

  • City: unknown
  • Country: Italy
  • Source: Sakata
  • Approx. Date: 1945
  • Photographer: Sakata

 An impoverished little girl sweeps a quiet street in Italy in the 1940s. She is dressed in a worn-out dress with a large pocket in the front, which may hold some coins inside. She is not wearing any type of footwear, suggesting that the girl is struggling through poverty. Given the consequences of World War II in Italy, the war must have created a strong financial and emotional burden in this young girl's life, and so she is trying to adjust to changes in her life that occurred after the war. Her parents may no longer be with her, and so she must do what she can to create a living for herself. Several onlookers walk past the little girl, such as a man wearing a white tank top and dirty trousers folded up to the half of his calves. He is also wearing a typical painter's hat and shoes.

This photograph demonstrates the ways in which people of all ages had to adjust to life in Italy after the war. Poverty takes its toll on everyone, and children are no exception. Everyone must struggle to keep food on the table, and it's very likely that some children had to do this without the love and guidance of their parents, who vanished during the war. However, this picture also portrays a strong indication of hope. Italians, such as this young girl, persevered and worked their way back to achieve a better quality of life.
Taken by George Sakata. George was a member of the infamous 100th Division 442nd Nisei Regimental Combat Team in WWII. This was the only Japanese American unit in WWII and was nicknamed the "Go For Broke" unit. The 442nd had a casualty rate of 93% and was awarded 21 Medal of Honors. George Sakata is featured throughout our website. For more information on the 442nd RCB unit.

  • Description

  • City: unknown
  • Country: Italy
  • Source: Sakata
  • Approx. Date: 1945
  • Photographer: Sakata

 An impoverished little girl sweeps a quiet street in Italy in the 1940s. She is dressed in a worn-out dress with a large pocket in the front, which may hold some coins inside. She is not wearing any type of footwear, suggesting that the girl is struggling through poverty. Given the consequences of World War II in Italy, the war must have created a strong financial and emotional burden in this young girl's life, and so she is trying to adjust to changes in her life that occurred after the war. Her parents may no longer be with her, and so she must do what she can to create a living for herself. Several onlookers walk past the little girl, such as a man wearing a white tank top and dirty trousers folded up to the half of his calves. He is also wearing a typical painter's hat and shoes.

This photograph demonstrates the ways in which people of all ages had to adjust to life in Italy after the war. Poverty takes its toll on everyone, and children are no exception. Everyone must struggle to keep food on the table, and it's very likely that some children had to do this without the love and guidance of their parents, who vanished during the war. However, this picture also portrays a strong indication of hope. Italians, such as this young girl, persevered and worked their way back to achieve a better quality of life.
Taken by George Sakata. George was a member of the infamous 100th Division 442nd Nisei Regimental Combat Team in WWII. This was the only Japanese American unit in WWII and was nicknamed the "Go For Broke" unit. The 442nd had a casualty rate of 93% and was awarded 21 Medal of Honors. George Sakata is featured throughout our website. For more information on the 442nd RCB unit.