Throughout history, countless women have fought alongside men in times of war, and I feel a responsibility to honor their courage. Many disguised themselves as men, dedicating their lives to defending their countries with the same bravery and resolve as their male counterparts.
Yet even today, women face significant danger within the very institutions they serve. Reports indicate that women in the military are three times more likely to be raped than women in the general population, and approximately 64% have experienced some form of sexual harassment. These statistics are devastating, but sadly not surprising.
Similarly, gender inequality permeates the film industry, both behind the scenes and on screen. The industry remains overwhelmingly male-dominated - not due to a lack of talented, trained, or highly educated women, but because of entrenched biases. As filmmaker Lexi Alexander observed, “The director is considered the general, and just like in the military, they still can’t picture anyone not born with the Y chromosome with that title.” An astonishing 99% of women working in film and television report having experienced sexism. And the disparities extend further: during the 2015 - 2016 broadcast network season, 98% of programs had no women directors of photography; 91% had no women directors; 78% had no women editors; 76% had no women creators; 71% had no women writers; and even at the producer level, 26% had no women producers or executive producers (Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film).
Inspired by women - their histories, their roles in society, and their perseverance from past to present - I set out to portray them as realistically and honestly as possible. This is not only because I am a woman myself, but because I find women endlessly fascinating. Driven by curiosity, I am the one in the corner watching, sketching, taking notes, capturing moments, asking a thousand questions, and analyzing what I observe.
Women are profoundly strong, creative, powerful, and determined, yet they continue to face immense challenges. It felt essential to dedicate my time, research, vision, and eye to creating photographs that give form to these reflections - images shaped by admiration, inquiry, and deep respect.
