| |
FiftyCrows proudly presents
by Phil Borges
Artist Reception, Opening & Book Signing
Friday, September 14th
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
| Exhibition: |
through November 17, 2007 |
| Gallery Hours: |
Wednesday - Saturday
11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Location: |
49 Geary Street
2nd Floor, Suite 225
415-391-6300 |
Women Empowered is a collection of thirty portraits and personal stories about women in developing countries who have broken through the barriers of convention and oppression to improve their own well-being and the well-being of their communities.
The photographs and stories shed light on gender issues worldwide. Their struggles and triumphs speak to the universal themes of courage, empowerment and human rights.
“A deeply inspirational work. Phil Borges has brought us face to face with heroes ‘remote and mostly unknown women’ on the edge of a slow but steady transformation, bringing social and economic justice to women and girls worldwide.”
- Isabelle Allende
Abay, 28
Abay was born into a culture in which girls are circumcised before age 12. When it came time for her circumcision ceremony, Abay said, “No.” Her mother insisted: An uncircumcised woman would be ostracized and could never marry, Abay was told.When her mother’s demands became unbearable, she ran away to live with a sympathetic godfather. Eight years later, Abay returned to her village and began work as a station agent for CARE, supervising the opening of a primary school and a health clinic and the construction of a well. After five years, she finally convinced one of the women to let her film a circumcision ceremony. She showed the film to the male leaders. They had never seen a female circumcision and were horrified.Two weeks later, the male leaders called a special meeting and voted fifteen to two to end female circumcision in their village. |
| |
©2007 Phil Borges
Teke Foliwa, 42, was crowned “Queen Mother” of Have, Ghana. Her first act was to form sixteen women’s groups for microcredit loans, agriculture production, and education reform. Eventually the men became impressed with the progress being made by the women and asked for their own groups. “This has moved us forward toward becoming a true community.”
©2007 Phil Borges
Transito, 91, is a legendary human rights figure, often referred to as the “Rosa Parks of Ecuador.” In 1926, at the age of 17,Transito spoke out against a hacienda owner who had been molesting her. She was sent to jail for five months for protesting her abuse. Upon her release, she became a legend for speaking out about the plight of indigenous Ecuadorians. |
|
 |
FiftyCrows is a non-profit organization supported through grants, individual donations, and the sale of fine prints. We exist to support documentary photographers and to assure that their photo essays are seen by millions of people worldwide. As funding permits, we are creating ways for people to take action and mandate positive social change around the issues raised in the photo essays. Please help us by donating now in whatever amount you can afford. |
|
|
|
|
