WOMEN OF INFLUENCE
This series began by researching historical and compelling women of influence with a Cleveland connection. Thanks to the generosity and assistance of the Cleveland Public Library Archives, I was able to find images of these often forgotten women. The lives and achievements of these women are vast and complex. They did not live as monolithic humans, but instead multitasking, multitalented, multifaceted powerhouses of unforgettable accomplishments.
In addition to using photographs of these women, I incorporated images of doilies, a relic of the past, traditionally used to protect furniture, a decorative barrier to absorb heat. Historically these highly intricate doilies were painstakingly created by women, overlooked by most, and often seen as a feminine symbol of domesticity. This series transforms this narrative of doilies into a framing element, highlighting these extraordinary women as both a halo and referencing Ruth Bader’s adornments.