For close to ten years, two women—one armed with a camera, the other with a pencil (and later a laptop), traveled around the world to document the inspiring work of women activists. In every corner of the globe, they found women striving—sometimes against enormous odds—to help one another and effect real change in the daily lives of their people. Womankind: Faces of Change Around the World,, isa tribute to these inspiring women leaders. Stunning duotone photographs present the many faces of courage, while moving profiles highlight the women’s own words, describing the challenges and dangers they have faced, as well as their impressive achievements, their relentless determination, and their resolute hope for the future. Womankind features women from more than thirty countries or five continents—some internationally famous, others little-known outside their own communities, all of them fighting in courageous and creative ways for human rights, social justice, women’s equality, environmental preservation, and cultural freedom. In a time of increasing worldwide tension, these women offer alternative models for peaceful social change, and proof of the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the public discourse and bringing about a more fast and sustainable world. A compelling testament to the vitality of women’s work for change, Womankind is also an ideal gift for anyone who still believes in the value of speaking truth to power.
Donna Nebenzahl is a weekly columnist and feature writer at the Montreal Gazette and the editor of The Gazette’s quarterly Trends magazine. In 1997, she created "Calling All Girls!" a forum where girls between the ages of nine and fifteen have met guests like activist Gloria Steinem, astronaut Julie Payette and Olympic diver Anne Montminy. She lives in Montreal, Canada.
Documentary art photographer, Nance Ackerman has been photographing women for ten years. She has had exhibits at the Museum of -Civilization in Hull, and at the McCord Museum in Montreal. Ackerman’s photographs can be seen on the front cover of TIME, Macleans, and Canadian Geographic magazines as well as the Smithsonian.
