I’m currently working on a project of obscure 1920s starlets and have been so inspired by some beauties that cross over completely into today 💗

Though she was the sole member of her gender to direct Hollywood pictures during the first generation of sound film, in the silent era a woman behind the camera was not unknown.

The first movie in history was directed by a Frenchwoman, and many women were employed in Hollywood during the silent era, most frequently as scenario writers (some research indicates that as many as three-quarters of the scenario writers during the silent era--when there was no requirement for a screenplay as such as there was no dialogue--were women).

Indeed, there were female directors in the silent era, such as Frances Marion (though she was more famous as a screenwriter) and Lois Weber, but Arzner was fated to be the only female director to have made a successful transition to talkies. 

Another Ed Steichen photo, of Lee Miller when she wasn't the accomplished war (and fashion, and portrait) photographer and journalist we know today, but still worked as a fashion model herself...