Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) was an influential American documentary photographer and photojournalist, renowned for her impactful work during the Great Depression for the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, to German immigrants, Lange's early life was marked by resilience and observations of human diversity in New York City. Despite never owning a camera, she was determined to become a photographer and started her journey at Columbia University. Settling in San Francisco, she established a successful portrait studio, marrying the renowned painter Maynard Dixon and raising two sons. However, it was the onset of the Great Depression that shifted her focus from studio portraits to capturing the plight of the homeless and unemployed. Her iconic photographs, such as "White Angel Breadline," revealed the human face of the economic upheaval, leading to her employment with the Resettlement Administration. Collaborating with economist Paul Schuster Taylor, Lange continued to document rural poverty and the exploitation of sharecroppers and migrant laborers. Her profound ability to connect with her subjects and capture their personal stories through photography solidified her legacy as a pioneer in documentary photography, shaping the narrative of the Great Depression and social reform.

Dorothea Lynde Dix (April 4, 1802 – July 17, 1887) was an influential American advocate for the rights and humane treatment of the mentally ill. Her relentless efforts led to the establishment of the first generation of American mental asylums. Born in Hampden, Maine, she faced a challenging childhood and early adulthood marked by family issues and poor health. Despite these challenges, she displayed exceptional resilience and determination.Dix's commitment to social reform and education became evident as she established schools for both privileged and underprivileged children. Her teaching career and exposure to the suffering of mentally ill individuals in prisons ignited her passion for mental health advocacy. Her pivotal trip to Europe further shaped her outlook and provided inspiration from prominent social reformers.Upon her return to America, Dix conducted a comprehensive investigation into the care of the mentally ill in Massachusetts, uncovering deplorable conditions and neglect. This fueled her tireless lobbying efforts and collaboration with various reform movements, including abolitionism and temperance.Dorothea Dix's enduring legacy lies in her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of the mentally ill, leading to significant reforms in mental health care and the establishment of institutions dedicated to their welfare. Her remarkable contributions continue to inspire and influence mental health advocacy to this day.

Dorothea Elizabeth Orem (June 15, 1914 – June 22, 2007) was a renowned nursing theorist and the mind behind the self-care deficit nursing theory, also known as the Orem model of nursing. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, she received her nursing diploma from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. Orem went on to pursue higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education in 1939 and a Master of Science in Nursing Education in 1945 from the Catholic University of America. Her exceptional contributions to the field of nursing were acknowledged through honorary doctoral degrees from prominent institutions such as Georgetown University, Incarnate Word College, and Illinois Wesleyan University. Orem's influential nursing theory emphasized self-care as a fundamental human need, with nurses playing a crucial role in designing interventions to facilitate or manage self-care actions for individuals to achieve or maintain good health. Furthermore, she was a key figure in presenting the Patterns of Unitary Man (Humans), which laid the groundwork for nursing diagnosis. In recognition of her outstanding work, Orem was honored with the Alumni Achievement Award for Nursing Theory from the Catholic University of America in 1980. After a remarkable career, Orem passed away at the age of 92 in Savannah, Georgia, where she had dedicated the last 25 years of her life to serving as a consultant and author.

Dorothea Kent, born Dorothea Jane Schaeffer, was an American film actress known for her appearances in over 40 films from 1935 to 1948. Often cast as the "dumb sidekick" to the heroine, she rarely played lead roles. Kent's career extended beyond her credited roles, having appeared in six other films, with her final role in the 1948 film, The Babe Ruth Story. Born on June 6, 1916, in Missouri to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Schaeffer, Kent passed away on December 10, 1990, in Burbank, California, after battling cancer. She was laid to rest at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery. Kent's legacy continues to be celebrated through her extensive filmography. For more information, her works can be explored on IMDb and Find a Grave.

Dorothea Towles Church, also known as Dorthy Mae Towles, was a trailblazing black fashion model who made history as the first successful black model in Paris. Born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1922, she pursued higher education and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in biology and pre-med from Wiley College. After moving to Los Angeles, she delved into teaching and furthered her studies in drama and speech at the University of Southern California. Church's modeling career took off when she ventured to Paris and worked with renowned designers such as Christian Dior, Jacques Fath, Elsa Schiaparelli, and more. Despite her success abroad, she faced racial barriers upon returning to the United States, where she struggled to find work as a model. Church's experiences in the fashion industry and her ability to break racial barriers were widely recognized, with her glamorous presence challenging the prevailing representations of beauty at the time. She was married twice and passed away on July 7, 2006. Dorothea Towles Church leaves behind a legacy of breaking down racial barriers in the modeling industry and paving the way for future generations of black models.