Alice Seeley Harris

Alice Harris' shocking photos revealed to the world the horrendous truth of slavery in the Congo and helped bring public pressure and international scrutiny to the situation faced by its people.

Paul Donohoe, Anti-Slavery International

 

Instead of the charade of civilization that masked the Belgian's presence in the Congo, [Alice Seeley Harris'] photographs exposed the deep-rooted hypocrisy of so called colonial benevolence.

Mark Sealy, Director of Autograph ABP 

 

Celebration of the work of Alice Seeley Harris is long overdue. This remarkable woman went to the Congo Free State on a religious mission but found a new vocation in exposing the murderous oppression of the government and its affiliated concessionary companies. 

Dean Pavlakis, Assistant Professor, Carroll College

PHOTOS

  

 

This website is dedicated to our project on Alice Seeley Harris, a courageous woman who, at the young age of 27, traveled into the Congo and photographed the atrocities done to the Congolese at the hands of the Belgians. We are currently working on an entry for the Unsung Hero competition through the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott, Kansas. This project encourages students to recognize individuals who have demonstrated immense courage and compassion in the past but have not received the recognition they deserve. 

 

Alexis Balaun, one of our team members, discovered Alice's story while watching a documentary on the Congo. Alice's heart-wrenching photos were showcased, but not much was said about the person behind the camera. Intrigued by this brave woman, Alexis presented her to our group and we knew that Alice would make the perfect focus for our project. We have chosen to showcase Alice’s story in a documentary setting. The goal of our work is to shed light on Alice's story and give her the commendation that her bravery so very much deserves.