Meet Barbara: In her own words… “For a long time now I’ve held a lot of different jobs simultaneously – actor, teacher, coach, director, and now artistic director. The common thread in all these jobs is storytelling, which I’m clearly passionate about. I have always loved the transformative power of stories, and the way my body and voice could change to embody different characters. Later I took delight in helping other people be better and clearer storytellers, whether that was teaching conservatory students how to use their voices, or helping them discover Shakespeare’s language, or directing them toward a performance. Now I get to play a significant role in choosing the kinds of stories people will be hearing at Oak Park Festival Theatre, one of my many artistic homes. It’s exciting to think about the kinds of stories people are looking for these days. Do they want to be encouraged? Challenged? Empowered? Unburdened, even for a moment? ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 In 2016 my personal story changed significantly and transformed me in a powerful way. I was diagnosed with Stage II invasive breast cancer in June of 2016, after having a lump that didn’t feel right for a few months prior to my annual mammogram, and a biopsy that confirmed that it wasn’t quite right. I was referred to a surgeon almost immediately (I found out on a Thursday and was in his office scheduling surgery the following Monday), and before I knew it I had had a lumpectomy and was being set up with a plan for chemotherapy and radiation to follow. Like many people who work in the performing arts, I had lined up several gigs for myself over the span of that year – both acting and directing work. I didn’t know if I would be able to work on those projects while going through treatment, but I wanted to try. In the end, I worked through every single one of them. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 When I think about what I learned during that time that I couldn’t have learned any other way, it all comes down to two things. First, I very clearly saw the love surrounding me in my life. From my incredible husband to friends who offered an ear or a ride to chemo, to students who told me I was inspiring them to get through their bad days, I truly felt carried aloft by the people I cared about most. Secondly, I knew that along with the last microscopic specks of cancer that were being burnt away the non-essential parts of me were being incinerated as well. Extra measures vanity, self-consciousness, and cowardice (along with many other things) were being stripped from me. The person that remains is tougher, more mindful, more courageous, more grateful and more beautiful than the person I was before. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I hope to share more of this particular story on stage someday in the form of a play. But in the meantime, I’m happy to have the opportunity to share it with you here, and to celebrate what I do best – telling the story.” Barbara is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at Roosevelt University in Chicago and is the Artistic Director at Oak Park Festival Theatre. *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Barbara. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 33 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #2019 #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Bhavana: In her own words: “I grew up in a family that revolved around healthcare. My father is a physician and it was only natural that I too wanted to follow in his footsteps. I dreamed about being a doctor but I was also very talented in art. Drawing and designing were ingrained in my DNA and that is what really brought me joy. As I became older, and it was time to make a career choice, I decided to continue the path of fulfilling my father’s dream of becoming a doctor. When I was not able to get into medical school I decided to explore Pharmacy. I was admitted to Pharmacy school and was excited to start my new career! ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 After a few years of working in pharmacy, I started to feel this feeling like something was missing in life. I needed to share my true gift with the world and that was through fashion and design. I started taking evening fashion design classes while working in Pharmacy full time. I enjoyed the creative aspect of fashion because it allowed me to express myself as an artist. Fashion is not defined, it’s always evolving. I used to think that you had to be on trend with fashion, but really it’s a creative platform of expression. As time went by, it slowly started becoming clear to me that fashion was my calling. I wanted to design for the women like me: someone who is beautiful inside and out, confident, and wants to make a statement with the clothes they wear. It was then that I started to put the pieces together for my business and three years later I launched the first collection of BhavyJ Designs. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Fast forward to today, and only in my second year of the business, I have learned so much about about myself. This has been a journey where I am constantly learning how I handle challenges in life, and am testing my personal limits. I understand now, that if you want something in life, you pour your heart and soul into it… literally. I am so fortunate to work in healthcare and make an impact in patient’s lives through my work, but on the flip side share my passion of fashion with the world. I embraced the fact that I took that I took the unconventional path in life in finding my own personal happiness and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Never ignore what you’re passionate about. You will always succeed at that!” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Bhavana. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 32 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #Chicago #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

The Beautiful Garden of Life…Why Planting Seeds of Kindness Produces Lifelong Blooms Meet Kathleen: In her own words… “Since I was a little girl, I have viewed my life as one big, exquisite garden filled with the people I’ve encountered throughout my experiences. As a child, playing among the oversized lilac bushes framing my suburban backyard, I’ve loved being around flowers. Their sweet fragrance and bright colors always brought me an overwhelming sense of tranquility, joy and happiness. As I grew up, I recall becoming giddy receiving flowers from thoughtful friends and loved ones who knew how much blooms brighten my world. In my adult life, I began my own tradition of grabbing simple bouquets at our local French market to place in vases around my home and to greet me each day on my office desk. That simple ritual continues to bring me peace and a constant reminder to be grateful to for the gift in witnessing the world’s beauty. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 During my 47 years of life, the hundreds – more likely thousands – of friendships and business relationships that I’ve made have been rooted in planting seeds of love, kindness and goodwill throughout my personal and professional interactions. I genuinely love the ability to meet someone, have an authentic connection and uncover a way to support or serve them in some small way. It’s just how I’m wired and perhaps why I’ve excelled in a career in the field of public relations and marketing. I regularly marvel at, and am truly humbled by, what has bloomed in this “life garden” of mine. In fact, as I’ve gone through various seasons of change (marriage, motherhood, love, loss), I’m constantly in awe of how those simple “seeds” have grown and sprouted at just the right time to provide just the right color and context when I needed it most. When I experienced some of my darkest days (work challenges, an unexpected divorce, the loss of both of my parents within 14 weeks) those blooms sustained me and offered hope during the many mundane parts of life that we all experience. Relationships provide deep beauty and personal growth, just like flowers do. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 My fiancé and my kids will tell you that I am definitely NOT a gardener, but I am familiar with the term “annual” and “perennial” – annuals are plants that pop out for just one season where you get to enjoy all of their splendor. On the other hand, perennials live for three or often many more growing seasons, ready for you to nurture and prune them and pass them on, even for generations. In my relationship garden, many “flowers” in my life have bloomed for a long time, and they’ve continually reminded me of the joy they bring and how fortunate I am to know them and love them. Other people I’ve met were “annuals,” which makes them no less beautiful or appreciated. These timely blooms gave me beauty or a blessing for just one important season in my life – to teach me something, connect me to someone I needed for my next chapter or create a bridge to a bigger garden in my future. So although these gorgeous blooms may not return next season, I’m grateful I could appreciate them for the moment. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 As we enter springtime where the world begins to bloom outdoors, I feel a wonderful sense of excitement for what beauty will be revealed this year. I’m also reminded how grateful I am for the beautiful garden of people my life. I encourage you to plant seeds of love and kindness, too. It will yield countless colorful experiences and a gorgeous setting to appreciate the various seasons of your life.” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Kathleen. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 31 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #KathleenKHenson #amyboylephotography #flowers #Wheaton #52PhenomenalWomen #AndrewsGarden

Meet Michelle: In her own words… ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “I spent more than three decades persuading corporations that redesigning and renovating their office environments would result in happier employees, increased productivity, a stronger bottom line, and a more positive corporate culture. Sometimes it worked. But while I was busy extolling the virtues of ergonomic seating and the benefits of collaborative spaces, something else was happening right under my sales and marketing nose. My own organization’s culture was changing in a way no one… especially me… would have anticipated. The company I worked for hosted a signature event where clients and colleagues came together every winter for a wildly popular industry activity that benefitted Special Olympics Illinois. The event, produced solely by our employees, provided our company with an annual challenge. Make it bigger, better, and raise more money! Working together as a team on something aspirational changed us. The event and Special Olympics became strongly associated with our organization, and our employees developed an enviable sense of purpose, teamwork and pride that became part of our corporate DNA. It was powerful. So much so that I wanted more. For three years, I flirted shamelessly with the folks from Special Olympics Illinois at our event, and with the idea of shifting my sales and marketing prowess from the for-profit to the non-profit sector. I wanted to use my superpowers for something more altruistic. And then Special Olympics said yes! ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 The first question I received from HR was, “what size polo shirt do you need?” Uh oh…“Goodbye” Ferragamo shoes and spa days. “Adios” expense accounts and skyboxes. I realized I’d be foregoing more than a few corporate comforts but I was ready. Four years later, instead of analyzing how many workstations can fit into a 40,000 square foot space, I figure out how many athletes can receive free vision and hearing screenings with a foundation grant. Instead of recruiting and hiring the next marketing phenom, I am the job coach for a Special Olympics athlete who is learning to tell her personal story in public. Now when I meet with corporations, I can talk about how a real commitment to diversity and inclusion, especially neuro-diversity, can impact their corporate culture. I can challenge them to take action so what they publish on their websites and in their annual reports reflects real attitudes, and not carefully crafted platitudes. I am able to show them that our athletes have more in common with them and their companies than they might have ever imagined, and that those athletes deserve their support. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I know it because I live it, and love it, and want others to see what I see every day. I see beautiful, determined people who overcome immense challenges to be their very best. And because of them, I wake up each day and want to do the same… in sensible, moderately-priced shoes.” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Michelle. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 30 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #SpecialOlympics #52PWP #Chicago #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

I am Amy – © Colin B Photography 2019 29 weeks ago I began a journey that has become the 52 Phenomenal Women Project. During this time, I have met so many fabulous women and I have been honored to share their incredible stories. I love what our community of readers and supporters has become along the way. We are lifting each other up while supporting the efforts @dfscentral each week. To date we have raised over $2100. What a wonderful accomplishment! ©Colin B Photography 2019 Wearing @TalbotsOfficial #talbotsxomag @OprahMagazine. Shop the new limited-edition #TalbotsxOmag capsule collection with 30% of the net proceeds benefiting @dressforsuccess. #GiveConfidenceHopeStyle#sponsored #omaginsiders As I describe the project to others, I have been asked to feature myself… Oh no, I say. Then I go on to describe the stories of the phenomenal women I meet each week. Another person asks me to write about myself, again I decline. Upon further requests, my family intervenes. “How can you describe phenomenal women and not mention yourself? You are strong, giving, a mother of four, an entrepreneur, and a storyteller. Don’t you tell your phenomenal features each week to accept the nomination and shine the light on themselves even for a few minutes? So… if not now, when?” Isn’t it funny how in the things that are right in front of you, you might not see or even hear them? Just like some of the women I have asked to join the project, I second guessed myself for being included, I got overwhelmed at what I wanted to say, but at the end of the day I am phenomenal because I am me. Love big and be here now, so here I am! Worthy is a word that I have always put in an equation. I can do this when I lose 10 pounds, when I finish my degree, when I get the promotion… fill in the blank. Time to listen to what I preach – ©Colin Boyle Photography 2019 I am worthy NOW! YOU are worthy NOW! We are stronger together and I am grateful each day for all of you. Thank you for joining me on this phenomenal journey! *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about me. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 29 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #AmyBoyle #colinboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Isabel – In her own words… ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “The most important knowledge you can obtain in life is knowledge of Self. I have been on a journey to understand the true essence of myself over the last 4 years. I felt a stirring within me and in my gut; I knew I was on the cusp of change for my life. On the surface my life was on track, a mother, wife, and entrepreneur, my life was perfect. That was true in many aspects, however, like many other women, there was another side to my life that was buried and it was one that I would never share with others. Even more so, it was a side of me that was brewing right beneath the surface, so much so that I couldn’t fully grasp what it was. As women, we are somehow programmed to go out into the world to excel in a career, nurture our children, and oversee the running of the household – we are not really taught how to balance our lives, reach out for help, surround ourselves with a support system and we get lost, losing our identity. This neglect results in a ‘breakup’ with ourselves as we journey through life – we become actors instead of participants that are fully immersed in life. All that had been brewing beneath the surface started to creep into my life. I would often find myself feeling unworthy, lacking self –esteem, confidence, feeling undervalued and to my surprise, I also had to confront a lot of hurt and pain from experiences as an adolescent and even as an adult. I found myself asking fundamental questions on my identity: who am I? What is my life’s purpose? Am I not good enough? What are my dreams? How do I even begin to attain those dreams? Aside from being blessed with the greatest purpose in life of being a mother, there was a nagging ache in my belly telling me that there was more to who I was and I kept pushing through to discover what it was. Discovery of self can be a painful journey that requires you to face your truth. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I am grateful for the process that keeps unfolding and has allowed me to live my truth. How did I do it? Prayer and journaling, I read a number of books on authors like Marianne Williamson, listening to Ted talks, Podcasts like Super Soul Sunday, practicing yoga, being still and most importantly, I made a commitment to myself that it was time for a change. Bit by bit, little by little the layers started peeling off, the deeper I went into knowing myself, the more outwardly I begin to live. I started to feel free, free to love myself more and others around me, I started to see value in myself. I trust and believe in myself and most importantly I have wrapped up all the parts of me, flaws and all, with love. My purpose lies in my story. I believe my experiences in life have not been in vain.” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Isabel. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 28 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #52PWP #WomenonFire #guestblogger #Chicago #purpose #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Heidi: In her own words ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “In spring of 2012, the Tribune was re-imagining our Sunday lifestyles section and one of the ideas was to have it open with a singular voice – a columnist who would welcome readers each week and keep up a running dialogue of sorts. My editor called me in his office one day and asked if I was interested in being that voice. At the time, I was a year into my divorce. My kids were 3 and 7. I was navigating a full-time job and my kids’ needs and what in the world I wanted my life to look like, now that it was nothing like I imagined it looking like. My editor said, “Just write about that mess.” (I don’t know if he actually used the word mess, but I think I heard it implied.) I was a features reporter and, before that, an arts and entertainment editor, so I had written very little about my personal life. The idea of sharing more of myself in my writing was scary, but also exciting. I had written one essay a few months prior to my editor’s offer – about a pink Christmas tree my kids and I bought for our first divorced Christmas – and the reader reaction was really touching. It was my first taste of feeling like some of my stories might help other people feel less alone in whatever mess they’re going through at the time. So I told my editor yes. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Pretty quickly it found an audience. All sorts of people found themselves living lives that looked nothing like they imagined would write to me each week. Some shared their stories. Some just commented on mine. It felt like a dialogue, which I love. About a year later my editor asked me to start writing the column 5 days a week. I knew, at that point, I was going to need to expand it beyond my little family and my little world. So I set out to tell other people’s stories alongside my own. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I try to tell the stories of all sorts of people, but I keep my eyes trained especially for the voices of girls and women, who we haven’t historically heard from enough. I want to hear and tell how they’re shaping the world and how the world is shaping them. Some of my favorites have been Indigo Monae, who turned an abandoned lot into an outdoor yoga studio; Ellen Smith, whose 95-year-old mom handed her a box of letters that revealed a lifetime of joy and sorrow; and Dinee Simspon, Chicago’s only black, female organ transplant surgeon. The job is truly a joy and a gift.” Follow Heidi on FB and in the Chicago Tribune *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Heidi. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 27 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #writer #52PWP #ChicagoTribune #amyboylephotography #HeidiStevens #52PhenomenalWomen

©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Meet Amanda: In her own words “Minutes after the birth of my first child via emergency c-section, I felt the unnerving sensation of my body losing blood quickly. After trying everything, the doctor said, “I have to make a choice: save your life or save your uterus. I will always choose to save you.” I was hemorrhaging because my placenta had fused itself to my uterus—a rare condition called placenta accreta, affecting 0.04% of pregnancies. It resulted in a total hysterectomy. Without the c-section (which only happened because my son would stop breathing during contractions), we might not have caught it in time. By risking his life, my son had saved mine. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I’ve healed physically, but I’m still working through the emotional aspects surrounding my inability to be pregnant again. I feel a deep sadness over the loss of my fertility, but it’s softened by how incredibly grateful I am that we are both here. I’m open about my journey in the hopes that I can help other women who may be feeling alone on theirs. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 My experiences have taught me to put greater focus on the things that are most important to me—my family, and my passion for telling stories as a director, choreographer, and actor. I’ve learned that life can change quickly without notice, so I try to live each day fully, doing what I love while caring for the people I love.” Amanda’s website Instagram ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Amanda. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 26 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #52PhenomenalWomen #52PWP #amyboylephotography #Dressforsuccess

Meet Bela: In her own words ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “I grew up in a loving family with educated parents who immigrated from Bombay, and one younger brother. If you’ve ever seen the beginning of the film, the Namesake, their beginnings were pretty similar ☺. My Dad – who was a chemist for a big corporation – was also always an entrepreneur at heart, and became a minority (10%) partner in a chemicals/coatings business when I was in Junior High. After I graduated from the University of Illinois (Urbana), I went to work in Mergers & Acquisitions consulting with Arthur Andersen. My dad’s business had expanded quite a bit by then, and he wanted to build his business in Europe. I knew that this could be a great opportunity — so I went to work for his company, called Coatings and Chemicals (CCC) in 1994. My Dad was harder on us than anyone in the company – his mandate was that we would be the people who would turns the lights on in the morning, and turn them off after everyone left in the evening. I learned every aspect of owning a business – and developed a thirst to do more and more during these years. Working in the family business is what I call “Best.Decision.Ever” (well until Smart Dating Academy) – and we sold it in 2001. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Now…what’s interesting is that during that entire time, I was THE go-to girl for dating/love advice, AND had set up many happy couples (on gut!) — that were getting married and having kids. Literally, I would say, “I found a guy for you – go out on one date, and I know you will marry him! “and it started to happen. My first match ‘officiated’ with their engagement in 1999 – and I KNEW at that moment that I wanted to help people find love as my purpose. It took me ten years to build up the courage, stop fearing failure (this was a BIG deal for me – I was paralyzed for a long time), leave put a plan together, and jump into Smart Dating Academy. Smart Dating Academy is my third child (besides my 15 year old daughter and 11 year old son), and a big love of my life 🙂 We help single professionals all over the country figure out WHY they aren’t meeting the right people (dating patterns? family of origin issues?), and then help them to put a plan together to have fun, meet the RIGHT kinds of people that will give them happy, healthy love. We coach, consult around best online sites/apps (depends on each client), take client’s photos at our awesome studio in the West Loop, write their profiles, teach them how to write emails/texts that get responses, help them get GOOD set ups, strike up conversations with cute strangers, find good places to meet people in person, and so much more! We are like personal trainers for their love lives – and it works. We have helped hundreds of people find love – and have lots of amazing success stories from singles in their 20s to their late 60s! ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 There is nothing better for me than helping someone find the “lid to their pot.” When I hear anyone doubting if they too can start something on their own, I encourage them to “JUST DO IT!” Don’t waste years obsessing on thoughts that will keep you stuck (like I did) and not walking towards what you want. There is no such thing as failure – setbacks are just part of life and learning that moves us in new directions. Remember, love exists for you and everyone on the planet that wants it – adopt this ‘psychotic optimism’ about your life with whatever you want, and watch yourself start to move those mountains. ☺ “ Watch Bela on the Today Show Watch Bela on Steve Harvey: Good Morning America Harry Connick Show Website *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Bela. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 25 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #WomenonFire #BelaGhandi #SmartDatingAcademy #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Emma: In her own words: “When I was eight years old, I published my first magazine. Dedicated to my love of horses, I named it Pegasus. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 At first, it was merely a cute childhood project. I wrote the articles by hand and cut out the pictures from horse posters. But soon I started typing and began printing the articles myself. I found out how to download fonts from the create text boxes on Microsoft Word. I cancelled playdates if I was on deadline; I ran through my family’s printer ink; I left smudges of glue on the laptop as I dashed back and forth from the screen to the scrapbook-style pages. By the time I hit eighth grade, the project had grown into a fully-fledged publication with bimonthly issues and a list of subscribers. I kept it hidden from my friends at school, knowing how embarrassing it was to be A Horse Girl. I didn’t want to stop, though! Working on Pegasus Mag launched my obsession with article-writing and page layout. I always knew this project underwrote a passion I’d have for the rest of my life. At the time, I thought it was horses. It wasn’t; it was journalism. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 When I came to college, I joined the print magazine staff for North by Northwestern immediately. I remember the creative director being curious of how I had so much layout experience, but it wasn’t until I’d been part of NBN for months before I finally showed Pegasus to the other students. I’d expected them to laugh at something so juvenile, but they were more impressed than anything. All this time, I’d been hiding one of the central aspects of myself because I was afraid other people wouldn’t accept it. Two months ago, I published my first non-horse personal magazine. It was a lot of work, sure, but it allowed the unique experience to envision a story from every angle and tell each one exactly the way I wanted. Even though it might seem narcissistic to publish a full magazine of individual work, it actually makes me better at working with others. I’ve edited myself for so long that I find it easier to help other people be critical of their own work. But at the end of the day, I do it for me. There’s something to be said about creating something entirely on your own. It reminds me that I have the skill, the initiative, and the work ethic to do something this insane. I called it EmPower, the first magazine ‘powered’ by ‘Em.’ ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Initially, I only wanted to do one issue, but publishing the first one was too fun. I keep a journal in my backpack with a list of ideas for my next magazine. There are so many stories I want to write about, so many design concepts I want to try, and so many topics I want to dive into. Sometimes I am daunted by the sheer amount of goals I have for myself… but I’m only twenty! There’s still so much time to write, design, create… and recreate. Links: Magazine –Portfolio – LinkedIn *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Emma. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 24 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #NorthwesternUniversity #Portraitphotography #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Meet Eileen: In her own words “After many years as a corporate Buyer at Fortune 500 companies including Bristol Myers, Nestle and Time Magazine, I became a “wife, teacher and mom”. In 2012, the sudden and unexpected death of my husband made me stop, meditate and listen to the whispers of learning a new skill and help people through my kind of pain. Or any pain for that matter. I completed training as a yoga instructor and returned to teaching high school after 20 years in the Broward County School system. I continued my training, learning with the world’s best gurus through Yoga Journal conferences and guiding students through trauma and strength-building character yoga empowering others to live their best life. Second only to the birth of my 3 wonderful children – Sara, Danielle and Austin – my most rewarding shift has been practicing yoga off the mat: blogs, conferences, drug rehabilitation suicide prevention, and raising funds to provide trauma-informed yoga instruction for Veterans and military families through Connected Warriors. I am currently a Brand Ambassador for Connected Warriors, I am on the Board of Exhale to Inhale, Inc. for women who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, and an active advocate of the #NeverAgain gun violence movement. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Working with Veterans is an experience that gives these individuals an increased sense of community and self-empowerment. It’s an extraordinary honor for me to be able to help people, especially Veterans and military families who have given up so much for our freedom. As a trauma yoga teacher in the community, the crisis center reached out to me following the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that took 17 lives. I am humbled to have provided my own service as I taught trauma-informed yoga to the counsellors and students. Giving back to the community is the most extraordinary thing I can do, as Maya Angelou so eloquently articulated, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 How do I live my best life? It begins with yoga, love, freedom, desire, appreciation and acceptance to create your shift with grace.” Eileen Fruithandler is a certified Yoga Instructor empowering others to find their destiny. Eileen has a B.S. in Economics & Business and is the CEO and Founder of Third Eye Yoga Shala Studio, you can read more and follow her blog at www.ThirdEyeYogaShala.com/. *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Eileen. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 23 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #connectedwarriors #OMagInsiders #EIleenFruithandler #yogajournal #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Follow Your Path – Meet Jenn: In her own words “I loved art from the time I was a little girl. Give me a piece of paper and a new set of crayons and I was very happy. Throughout high school, college and grad school, art was my path. The journey may have wavered in different styles (photography, advertising, art education) but the path always remained consistent – art. Teaching art for 15 years was my greatest joy. I was very fortunate to have a school that treated the arts with respect- we had a full Mac lab with all the newest programs for the students to learn digital photography, graphic design and more. This curriculum expanded to teaching college level class for my students in high school. I was living my best life and inspiring my students daily. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Then it happened. An icy fall one cold morning in the parking lot at school. The result: a spine fracture. Four surgeries in just as many years, and now teaching art is currently not an option. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball, but it is what you do with this new change that defines you as a person. This drive and my path has led me to Ever After in the Woods. A lifestyle blog that follows my happily ever after with my husband and three kids, while living in the middle of the woods. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Who would have thought that this suburban Long Island girl would thrive in the woods? This project focuses on food, crafts and travel – art but in a different form. It allows me to inspire others in a creative way and to follow my path. Everyone needs an outlet. What is yours? I love the freedom of being able to create in this space . Don’t let your disabilities define you, redefine yourself instead. For me, it could be worse, and this is what I remind myself of everyday. Live your best life and follow your path, your journey; no matter where it takes you- you might be surprised to find out that you enjoy it. Sometimes there is a greater hand that is guiding you along the way. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 How do you inspire others and live your best life? I always thought that my legacy was being an art teacher. Teaching my students that they can be whatever they put their minds too. At one point it defined me. Now I’ve learned that you don’t need to define what your legacy will be. Live your best life and that will be your greatest legacy.” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Jenn. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 22 of 52. Participants in this project will be supporting the efforts of Dress for Success Worldwide – Central. We are all stronger together and it is my sincere hope that we will be inspired by each other’s stories. Now is the time to celebrate as well as encourage one another. Tell your story!*** #Dressforsuccess #HollandAmerica #52PWP #EverAfterintheWoods #JennPowell #OMagInsiders #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen