Celebrating Year One of the 52 Phenomenal Women Project

On the evening of Thursday, September 26, 2019 at The Dawson in Chicago, a celebration was held to honor the first year of the 52 Phenomenal Women project. On display were the images made of all 52 women from the 2018-19 edition. The event was generously hosted by Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC.

52PWP Year One Celebration – Photo by Colin Boyle 2019

This is a phenomenal project and we are thrilled and fortunate to be a part of Amy’s creative vision and participation in community. The beauty and spirit of each woman honors our global mission– to empower women to thrive independently. Joi Gordon, CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide

Amy Boyle – Photo by Colin Boyle 2019

Over half of the women featured in year one of the project attended to meet each other and share their experiences. Julie Workman, partner at Levenfeld Pearlstein, introduced the project’s creator, photographer Amy Boyle, to describe her personal mission for the project. Wendy Wilkins, Director of Dress for Success Worldwide-Central was also present to graciously receive a donation of over $4,000 from the project’s supporters. Dress for Success serves hundreds of women annually throughout the Chicago area with workforce development and employment retention program services. Finally, Barbara Hogan, one of “the 52” in attendance, presented a poem created by another of the 52. Other guests included key supporters, representatives from Dress for Success, event sponsors and members of the media – all gathered to celebrate the phenomenal women in our lives.

Wendy Wilkins and Amy Boyle – Photo by Colin Boyle 2019

Poem by Laura Tiberi read by Barbara Hogan

Weekly project created by photographer Amy Boyle honors, elevates women:

What would happen if once a week we recognized someone who we think is phenomenal and shared her story with our community? Just imagine the list of inspiring women we’d have at the end of the year and how those connections can inspire others!

Each week for an entire year, Amy Boyle photographed a phenomenal woman and featured her personal narrative through the 52 Phenomenal Women Project. Participants, who were nominated by their peers, hail from ten different U.S. states and range in age from 21-83.

The project began in September of 2018 and due to popular response, Amy Boyle Photography is planning to extend the project for a least one more year.