IIPA - International Institute of Photographic Arts

Jeanette Klute Educated and trained to excel in a man’s field of technology, Jeannette Klute rejected woman’s traditional role in society. She entered the world of color photography at a time when its reputation was strictly utilitarian, a form of documentation. Jeannette Klute then helped to elevate the whole package of color photography - vision, skill, product, and process - to an art form. Consider that she wasn’t ahead of her time at all. Jeannette Klute was clearly the right woman in the right place at the right time.

Born in Rochester, NY on March 13, 1918, she graduated from high school in 1936 and immediately entered the adult education system put in place by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. The program was designed to delay graduates from entering the workforce in order to relieve the demand for scarce jobs. Jeannette took advantage of this opportunity to round out her art education with physics and mechanical drawing. In 1938, Jeannette, entered a co-op program at Mechanics Institute (later to become Rochester Institute of Technology), alternating college education with active employment. Jeannette noticed that her classmates were being sent out to jobs while she continued her studies. When she asked, “How come?” she was told, “Oh, we don’t give jobs to women.”

Jeannette characteristically took matters into her own hands. Having no classes on Fridays, she walked from her home on the west side of Rochester to Kodak Office to apply on her own. Week after week, she was refused. After months of rejection, Jeannette again showed up at Kodak’s personnel office, suit, hat and gloves dripping wet from an October rain. Seeing that she was not to be deterred, the personnel director gave in saying, “Well, go on up to the sixth floor. Maybe they’ve got a job for you up there.