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.
Gallery – Photos by Colin Boyle
About Amy Boyle:
Photo by Colin Boyle 2019
Amy Boyle is an internationally published photographer and passionate visual storyteller. She graduated from Northwestern University with a focus in business and art history, and her love for art has brought her to work with multiple large organizations both in Chicago and around the world, such as Broadway in Chicago, and Fortune, Playbill, among others. Amy is part of multiple female empowerment-focused groups, such as Women on Fire and O, the Oprah Magazine as a brand ambassador. Along with her husband, Amy has proudly raised four sons in Chicago.
More info on project:
Amy’s birthday wish from 2018 was to encourage others through the stories that have been featured on my blog and social channels. To start a dialogue of inclusion, support and recognition by celebrating the phenomenal qualities within us all. There is no better time than the present moment. The best way to describe the project Amy embarked on is #WomanCrushWednesday meets Humans of New York. Amy’s goal of the project is to start a dialogue of inclusion, by supporting and recognizing the phenomenal qualities within all women.
Why only women?
Amy says, “I am continually supported and loved by my husband and four sons, but what I know in my heart is many women are not so fortunate. I want to support women, who – whether they realize it or not – are phenomenal. I am amazed at how many women have stories they just have to get out – to be heard – to be seen.”
Participants in the project are asked to donate to support Dress for Success Worldwide Central. To date we have exceeded our goal of $3,000 for Dress for Success for the first year, but to continue the project for a second year, the 52 Phenomenal Women project needs your help. We are stronger together. Amy would love to be able to reach an even wider audience. More information is located here on how you can support year two: https://www.patreon.com/52PhenomenalWomen
You may follow along on the blog (www.amyboylephoto.com) in addition to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. #52PhenomenalWomen #52PWP www.amyboylephotography.com – amy@amyboylephoto.com