“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference” Winston Churchill Meet Alyssa: In her own words – ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “During my first job out of college, I briefly worked at Smith Barney in Chicago as a sales assistant, and I will never forget the way one stockbroker brought so much joy to the office. Whether markets were up or down, if it was pouring rain or sunny and bright, she always had a cheerful attitude. She would greet everyone with a boisterous hello and a warm greeting. If asked how she was, she would enthusiastically reply “Terrific”, “Fantastic” or something equally cheerful. When she was at the office, the mood was always happier and brighter. She made a difference through her positivity. Sadly, it wasn’t long before she developed a brain tumor that would end her life much too early, but throughout her fight, she remained positive and would wear the brightest and most cheerful scarves to cover her head and brought light to everyone around her. Although I am sure I never told her, she made a huge impact on my life and I aspired to be like her, wanting to emulate her and her positivity. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 While I’ve been blessed in so many ways, I’ve also experienced difficulties and losses firsthand. While living and working in New York, I witnessed the second plane hit the World Trade Center on 9/11. Life changed for everyone in that moment, and my ability to “stay positive” was challenged to the core. Being able to find happiness or to even muster a smile was incredibly difficult and I longed to feel like I had before those tragic events. Eventually I moved back to Chicago to be closer to family and friends, and given how hard the financial markets were hit, a good friend and mentor suggested that I look to other industries for a job. I never would have dreamed I would find myself working in the auction industry, but I excitedly joined Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. My career continued to take me on different paths, but I’ve recently rejoined Hindman, and am so thankful to be back. Oftentimes we work with clients who are selling property due to a death in the family, or various other reasons that are out of their control. While a few clients have cried on my shoulder, there have been so many joyous occasions and friendships made as well. And whether it’s with colleagues, clients or advisors, I always try to focus on the positives and bring a smile to the day, especially on those rainy and dreary days when some extra light is needed!” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Alyssa. 52 Phenomenal Women is now in its second year! This is week 4 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

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life! Meet Sarah – In her own words… ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “I’ve lived by this motto all my life and it’s shown up in the form of entrepreneurship. Even as a little girl I loved using my creativity and leadership skills in entrepreneurial ways. I’ve always marched to the beat of my own drum finding creative ways to feed my ambition and feel happy. One day I’d be running a book sale out of my bedroom and the next a neighborhood newspaper in my basement- always having a blast and putting my little sisters to work. Storytelling came naturally to me so I’d start by saying something like “What If today we started a candy store in the backyard?” and build the story from there. Before you know it my sisters and all the neighborhood kids were in on the fun loving every minute of their new jobs. With that attitude of entrepreneurship at age 29, I thought “What If I start a boutique promotional marketing company with a showroom on Michigan Avenue?!” And poof! I built Sublime Promotions, my first multi-million dollar business. I was focused on my creative vision, hired an amazing team and loved growing the company I’d imagined. Five years later, after I sold it, I found myself feeling miserable with limited creative juices flowing, working as an executive inside of the large male-dominated public company that purchased my business. The playful little girl inside me missed the challenges of entrepreneurship and was starving for a fun new creative experience. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 At the time my son Harry was 3 years old and I absolutely adored vacationing with him. My husband and I were traveling regularly and exploring new places as a family. It was so fun experiencing the world through little Harry’s eyes! So I thought to myself, “I would love to find a job where I can travel to fun new places, stay in luxury hotels and bring Harry along too. I wonder if that exists?” Next I thought, “What If I invent a new career for myself that’s all about traveling with my kid? What If I create a luxury family travel magazine? What If I donate a portion of proceeds towards giving other kids opportunities to explore the world?” Out of my questions WellTraveledKids.com was born. Now, Harry is 9 years old and we are working and playing with the “work” I created. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I’m so grateful for all the gifts I have manifested out of my burning desire to do what I love most in life. My advice to anyone who is struggling working at a job they hate- Get creative! Remember what fuels your inner child and focus on your life’s passions. Open your mind and ask yourself WHAT IF? Trust your gut, make a plan, take a leap, and never look back as you get busy living your best life!” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Sarah. 52 Phenomenal Women is now in its second year! This is week 3 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 #Chicago #amyboylephotography #travelblogger #travelingwithkids #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Becky: In her own words… ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “Whenever I am asked why I do what I do, I say the journey that began as a child. I grew up in the projects – Washington Park Homes – in a home where alcoholism and domestic violence were common. I am the second of seven children. My mom was the best I could ever ask for. She made the best out of the worst situation. This environment’s normal was almost daily gunshots. We were located right between two rival gang members. Running home after school – yeah, it was normal – ducking behind cars in between the gunshots – you became good at it. Then it would stop – until the next time. 25 years of character building, I call it. I believe that it is what gave me the courage and compassion needed to reach back into those same communities to show kids what normal really looks like. This was the driving force behind the outdoor community gospel festivals, which began in July 1998. When I became a teenage mom at the age of 17 years old. Choices that were solely my own. As a single parent of four kids,I learned early about consequences for the decisions that we make. Those choices led me into a relationship that caused me to endure 14 1/2 years of domestic abuse. Another hard lesson that I had to learn. But, I never blamed anyone for my choices. My mother always taught her kids, you make the bed that you must lay in. So now, my story and my journey is my why. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 My liberation came that night when fear opened the door again, I had had enough beatings. I needed just enough so that I would not judge other women or men for the choices that they made. This prepared me for my work with the Shama Ministries. I was the child of an imprisoned parent who would receive gifts from various churches during the holiday season. This experience was the reason I began supporting kids through the Angel Tree Program. We started with 40 kids, but because of people like Dani Jachino and a host of other co-workers, we began supporting over 250 kids through Angel Tree and over 100 kids at Maria’s Shelter. For a long period of time, I would go into prisons as a volunteer with Prison Fellowship Ministry. I would wonder what happens to individuals when they are released. This question led me to use my home as the answer. I began receiving individuals directly from incarceration in 2008 – our first was as hardcore as they could come. She was my training. I had never done anything like this before, but in my heart I wanted to see lives change and I wanted to be a part of that process. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 What began was first a home for women then a second that would house men. The residents could not understand why I would give up my homes for people I didn’t know – I would answer “love”. They would look at me with disbelief. There are so many other reasons over the years – the “why” to what I do – that I would gladly share. But, it is important for me to note that without financial and volunteer support over the years these efforts could not be possible. These wonderful people are the wind beneath my wings, and they never ever say I can’t fly. My absolute faith in God and belief in my journey led me to my purpose. And now House of Refuge will begin a new journey, it will become a Rescue Home for adult women fleeing human trafficking.” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Becky. 52 Phenomenal Women is now in its second year! This is week 2 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 #Chicago #Year2 #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

“Be like water making its way through cracks…adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. Be water, my friend.” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I never expected to kick off a piece about me with a quote from someone as wise as Bruce Lee. (My senior quote in high school was, “What’s the matter Colonel Sanders? Chicken?”) That eighteen-year-old Mel Brooks fanatic had no idea what the next several years would throw at her. “No. Sorry, not this time. Need a bigger name. Not old enough. Too much. Not enough. Nope.” I’ve been fortunate to work as a professional actor for the past ten years, and to be honest the “no’s” don’t get easier. There are several ways one can deal with rejection. Here are three: 1. Quit. 2. Take up knitting and try not to think about it. 3. Make your own work. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I’ve done all of these things in the face of “no.” Don’t get me wrong, knitting is awesome, but the best I have ever felt was when I decided to give myself the “yes” and create my own opportunities. On a whim in 2013, I auditioned for a cabaret venue in Wicker Park called Davenport’s. I had written two parodies for fun and sang them for their booking manager. She asked if I could have a show ready by August. “Sure!” I naively replied. All summer, I rewrote lyrics to fit the show I was creating. I spent hours writing in a coffee shop in Kalamazoo by day and performing an entirely different show by night. I don’t think I’ve ever been more terrified than when I finally stepped into the space and performed my own words for forty-four minutes straight. From 2013-2015, I performed six variations of that show. One was an expanded seventy-minute show to a sold-out crowd in my hometown and another I took to the Metropolitan Room in New York City. “No.” Okay, then I’ll learn comedy writing at The Second City!. “Nope.” Alrighty, on-camera classes it is! “Maybe next time.” Hello, NYC! “Nah.” Short-form comedy! “Bye.” I think I’ll learn screenwriting! This fall, I’m launching the third season of my award-winning comedy web series, “NewB!” It’s been a ton of work and a massive learning experience, but it’s made me a better person and artist. The community that has formed around this thing is extraordinary – a family of actors, musicians, creators, filmmakers, fans, collaborators. I could not be luckier to make comedy with them. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 The way I’ve chosen to move through life is by saying, “yes” to myself. I never imagined what I’d get in return: an ever-growing network of talented and glorious people, skills I never thought I’d master, a body of original work, and so many more opportunities than I could’ve dreamt. “Water off a duck,” my dad always says. I choose to let the rejection roll off and forge a path where there wasn’t one before. *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Erin. 52 Phenomenal Women is now in its second year! This is week 1 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!*** #writer #actress #comedy #amyboylephotography #newB #newyorkcity #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Wendy: In her own words: “I grew up in a very loving nurturing middle class family in Queens, NY. I am the oldest of 4, my mother was a stay at home mom and my father was a hardworking roofer and owned his own business. Every day at 5pm we sat down as a family to a delicious home cooked meal. ©️Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Growing up I always did what was expected of me; I got good grades in school, I stayed out of trouble, I went to college, I got a good job which lead to a career in my field of interest, I traveled with my girlfriends and I got married and moved to Chicago. Life was PERFECT, so it seemed! There was a big void in my life and when I looked around I had everything I wanted and more than I needed. I didn’t know how to shake this feeling or what to do. So, I started drinking a glass of wine every night to relax. This went on for some time, but eventually the wine turned in to rum then vodka. I had never been a heavy drinker, but now I was drinking every day by myself at home and that was all I wanted to do. I had fallen into this hole of hopelessness and depression. I lost my job, and I was about to be evicted from my apartment, so I went home and moved in with my father in Queens, NY. This was the lowest point of my life and I was so full of shame and remorse. ©️Amy Boyle Photography 2019 January 2001, I began a new journey. My life changed forever and I had no idea where I was headed. I remember praying to God and asking for help me out of my current situation. After praying, the next day I joined a 12 step program, I went to therapy and continued to pray and meditate every day. I took the time that needed for me to heal. During the process of rebuilding my career, I was referred to Dress for Success for professional attire and career coaching. I was suited at Dress for Success for my job interview at a non-profit organization called Eviction Intervention Services. God has a funny sense of humor, anyway I got the JOB working with their Development Director! I returned to Dress for Success for my employment suiting (a weeks’ worth of clothing), joined their professional women’s group (PWG) and got a career coach. At Dress for Success, I was always treated with dignity and respect and you could feel that they really wanted you to reach your full potential. They also had AMAZING clothing! With my background in fashion merchandising, retail management and development in September of 2006, I joined the Dress for Success Worldwide team as the Manhattan Branch Manager, I was promoted to the Director of East Coast Operations and in 2015, I was promoted again to the Director of Dress for Success Worldwide-Central and returned to live in Chicago. Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the developmental tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since 1997 Dress for Success has provided services for over 1,000,000 in 154 affiliates in 28 countries all over the world. ©️Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I have always wanted to help others so for the past 13 years, with the support of an AMAZING staff, DEDICATED volunteers and GENEROUS donors it’s been my JOY to be able to provide programs and services to over 2000 women a year. Today, I no longer feel a void and life is beyond my wildest dreams!!!” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Wendy. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 52 of 52… We did it!!! 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. Year 2 begins September 18, 2019 Tell your story!** #Dressforsuccess #52PWP #Chicago #amyboylephotography #newyorkcity #52PhenomenalWomen

©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Meet Barbara: In her own words… “Is There a Joiners’ Anonymous? My uncontrollable joining was surely pre-ordained. I am the middle daughter in a family of 5 girls, raised in the 50’s and 60’s. That “middle-ness” is a part of who I am. Comfort and stability are there – in the middle of a group; preferably a group of women. The occasional snags notwithstanding, I love being in the middle. And Joining is what gets me there. My early Joining efforts were an extension of my life focus at the time; the Nursery School board, the PTA, Scouts. Then I gradually moved forward with community and civic organizations, local politics, and so many book groups – in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio and New York in my 44 years of married life. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Each group I Joined brought me the middle-ness I love… to be part of a diverse group of people, united by a common interest or purpose. Friendships flourish in such settings, and I appreciate the opportunities to learn from the shared foundation of each group. I imagine that at some level I am ever re-creating the spot that was uniquely mine during my early years. Some amateur Joiners might take time to contemplate the act of Joining, do they want to commit to this group? Does the group add something to their full and busy life? What would they get, and what would they need to give? Not me… I sign up! Join now, evaluate later! (The sign of a Professional Joiner.) And there are so many invitations to Join! With free e-newsletters, YouTube video subscriptions, private Facebook groups, gurus and “influencers” building their brand by increasing their followers and likes are more than happy to add my digital identity to their roster. With my Inbox overflowing I am gradually pruning the results of all my Joining. Each group is a tribe. Which ones matter most? Which ones offer me that middle-ness I seek? The online book group hosted by the podcaster; the decluttering organizers; the minimalists; the people who use Bullet Journals; the favorite authors who have created inner circles… all are competing for my attention. It’s time for me to conduct an Attention Audit to determine which groups are in synch with me now. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Of all the Joining I have done since my retirement five years ago, there is one tribe that sets the gold standard. One group of women that is extraordinary. Do you have a Tribe like that? Women on Fire (womenonfire.com) is the magic that matters to me. And we will welcome you… if you Join! To be in the middle-ness of this group has inspired me to set goals and reach for what’s next; given me strategies for improving the quality of my life; and offered support along the way. I’ve learned so much; experienced so much and benefitted beyond what I can articulate.” *** 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 51 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 #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

“Pain has a Purpose: From Surviving to Thriving” Meet Trupti: In her own words… “I believe that pain has a purpose. The purpose is to guide us to be more connected with ourselves and thus less connected with the demands of world around us. I believe this is true, because this is my story. ©Amy Boyle Photography My life began in survival mode. After being smuggled out of Africa at the tender age of 6 months, my life began in Chicago with very few resources. My mother’s mantra was “Work hard and you will survive in life”. With that mantra instilled in my head and a background fear that life could suddenly shift in a moment’s notice, as it did for my parents, I focused on hard work and education. As I pushed myself to succeed and made my way into medical school, I found myself entering a state of perpetual rushing. I was serving, doing, and pleasing every waking moment. I don’t think I ever gave myself a moment to catch my breath and pause. Survival mode at its best, right? With this intensity and drive, I developed an incredibly disabling case of insomnia. Nights went by where I laid wide-awake wondering if I would ever sleep again. It was in this moment of desperation that I sought out an alternative solution to solve my woes. Western medications I tried left me feeling tired and uneasy. ©Amy Boyle Photography I stumbled across textbooks about an ancient healing practice and began practicing the principles on myself. I began to understand the purpose behind the insomnia and the message the universe was giving me to connect with myself. To slow down, breathe and connect with self. Soon enough, I was sleeping soundly again. This painful cycle of sleep disturbance allowed me to see the truth that life was not to be for for surviving, yet for thriving. After finishing Neurology residency, I found myself being drawn to the patients who suffered with severe headaches. These mysterious attacks of migraines that often left the sufferer incapacitated and wondering why they struggled with such discomfort in life. As I started caring for patients in pain, I realized the similarity of their story to the story of my struggle with resolving my insomnia. Even though they may have asked for medications to quiet the pain, each patient was seeking the truth behind why they suffered. The cycles of pain, similar to my cycle of insomnia, were a wake-up call to get into alignment of mind-body and spirit. I felt the pull to share the wisdom I had used for myself a decade prior. ©Amy Boyle Photography Using the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda I helped them see the purpose behind the pain and encouraged them to slowly shift from living life in survival to living life with presence, understanding, and depth. They began to see pain as their friend, not their enemy. As they moved into a mindset of thriving and connection with self, the pain began to dissipate. With this philosophy, I have helped countless individuals shift their perspective of pain and understand the truth behind it.” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Trupti. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 50 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 #Chicago #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Food for Thought: Nutrition is a form of self-love – Meet Aileen – In her own words… “My prior relationship with food may resonate with you. I was going through life on autopilot, eating what I wanted without much thought. I had a relatively high metabolism as a kid and grew up in the 80s so indulged in lots of sugar, particularly of the Hostess variety (Ding Dongs, anyone?). But from the time I can remember, I always had issues with my gut. I distinctly recall my dad having to take me to the hospital when I was 4 because of mysterious stomach pain due to something I ate. Stomach aches were common and became a part of my life, getting worse with age (and in college, with beer). ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to change my relationship with food, to follow a path that allowed me to optimize my energy, clarity and overall well-being. In 2013, I got sick. Very sick. Seemingly out of the blue. I started exhibiting symptoms I’d never felt before – extreme fatigue, brain fog, depression, muscle pain, stomach pain, rashes. The list goes on. After a few years of misdiagnoses, and trial and error, I took my health into my own hands and uncovered a cure for my mystery symptoms – the cure was food. I realized that certain foods were causing more pain while others seemed to heal the pain. I studied clean eating, and noticed what foods were life-giving and energy draining for me. I tried different ways of eating and cooking and realized that the type of food I ate had a profound effect on my overall well-being. That in fact, food could heal me both physically and mentally. My nutrition is not perfect, but now I know how to take care of myself to feel energized and happy most of the time. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Because of my wellness journey, I am compelled to share the importance of nutrition with everyone I meet. Food can cure – food heals. Choosing to nourish yourself is an act of self-love. And who can argue with that?” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Aileen. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 49 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 #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen

Meet Tamara: In her own words… “I have always been a caregiver at heart and have always enjoyed helping those that aren’t able to help themselves. That’s why I became a registered nurse and that’s why I chose to start my career working on the frontlines of the AIDS crisis. There was so much need for nurses and so few willing to do the work. My mother– also a nurse– taught me that if someone needs help, you help them. After two years of rewarding work with people with AIDS, I transitioned into working with seniors. I fell in love with the work immediately and knew that providing care for seniors was my calling. I realized that many of my patients required long-term, ongoing care and there were no reliable caregiving agencies to refer them to. This absence was hurting seniors and hurting families. When Mom or Dad falls or becomes confused, most families don’t know what to do. I knew that Chicagoland needed a reliable agency to provide that needed care. I decided if not me, who? ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 That’s why in 1994, I founded Custom Home Care on a simple principle: improving the lives of seniors by matching them with kind, dependable, honest caregivers. For that last 25 years, I’ve done just that. I now employ over 300 wonderful caregivers, all helping to improve the lives of hundreds of seniors across Chicago and the North Shore Suburbs. My success has been built on treating my clients and caregivers the way that I would want my family to be treated. That’s why I make sure that every caregiver is well-trained, respected and supported. Even though they fill one of the most important roles in society, caregivers have too often been deprived of insurance and benefits. Not on my watch. Tamara also works with one of her sons also a RN – ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 The current caregiver shortage brings difficulty to many families and agencies, but Custom Home Care has found that a fulfilled caregiver leads to excellent senior care. By supporting and enriching the lives of our caregivers we have cultivated a loyal and dedicated work force of caregivers from all over Chicagoland. The world tells women that we can’t have it all, but I’ve got two grown sons and a successful company that beg to differ. I’ve got a message to any young women reading this: go for it. I know that many of you have an idea or a passion that you’re too afraid to chase. Chase it. The world will be a better place if more of us refuse to trim our sails and limit our ambitions. I know it’s easier said than done, but that’s all the more reason to get started!” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Tamara. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 48 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 Basia. In her own words. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 “It’s a WONDERful life! I am not your typical woman, but I am living a WONDERful life! How is this possible? It all began with a tv show and a movie star but, it was deeper than that for me. Most girls in my generation grew up playing with Barbie dolls and dressed up as a princess waiting for her prince to come. Not me. I grew up playing with chickens and horses. I also dressed up as a different kind of princess. Dreaming of a prince was not my thing. Saving one was way cooler. Or fighting crime with him was just as cool. I was told back then I was not normal. Not normal? I watched every possible episode of Wonder Woman I could get my hands on. Little did I know what being obsessed with Wonder Woman would turn into. My mom wanted a better life for her children. We were immigrants from Poland. All I was ever told was to “be normal & don’t embarrass me. We are guests in this country. We only get one chance.” Isn’t being like Wonder Woman as normal as it gets? I was bullied for being me so I became what she wanted me to be, someone “normal.” That eventually destroyed me. Torn between being kind and fitting in was challenging. But I tried to be both, Mom’s dream for me was to marry someone and have children. That was the definition of success back then. If not, I would be a failure. Basia holding a photo of her and her mother – ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Being like Wonder Woman did not sit well with mom. So I became obedient. I hid my weirdness. Later I discovered that I WAS normal. I WAS AN ARTIST. I did everything to hide this from mom. I was at the peak of my career when I was told that mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and that we had to put everything on hold to care for her. I was told it would be two years max, I did not hesitate …it was my mom. It is just what you do. 12+ years later, I was drained. I became a sandwich mom. That meant working, caring for my own family and caring for mom 24/7. I was willing to help my mom, but I was exhausted. Everyone around me was living their best life. I was functioning on 4 hours of sleep every day. Angry, bitter and crying out “ when will MY happiness finally come? “ She eventually passed away and I was empty and tired inside. Her last words were, “Do not mourn. Live your life to the fullest, but ALWAYS be kind.“ I did not know what that meant until recently. I was confused. But even in her death she taught me the secret to life. To be kind, be WONDERful and you will have a WONDERful life. And so I did. WONDERful women continue show up in my life and I am one for others. I am finally happy. Don’t give up, whatever the challenge!” ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Basia. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 47 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 #amyboylephotography #52PhenomenalWomen #wonderwoman

Meet Kim: In her own words… “I believe… happiness is both a choice and a practice creativity can transform lives smiles are contagious in kindness everyone is worthy, including myself (such a hard-fought belief for me) I am right where I am supposed to be – and so are you in Brene Brown and Dr. Seuss that everyone has a story to tell… Here is mine… ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 For me, the path to where I am now was a circuitous route. I never expected that I would call myself an artist. In fact, there was a point and time in my life when I didn’t even think that I was creative! In high school, I enjoyed art classes, but never excelled. Pursuing art, as a career, didn’t even cross my mind. Instead, I went to college and on to graduate school and then worked on college campuses in the residence halls and student activities. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Then, I met my husband. We got married. A year later we had our first child and I decided to be a stay at home mom. Fourteen months later, our second son was born, and I was fully entrenched in motherhood. Being a mother of two little ones is wonderful – and it’s also SOOO hard and consuming! I felt like I had lost a little bit of myself in the muck of motherhood. Creativity became my escape, a stress relief, and the path to caring for myself and my dreams. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 So, dabbled in jewelry making, scrapbooking, home decorating, drawing, painting, illustrating, graphic design plus much more. I started blogging and writing and eventually I wrote a children’s book. On a whim I doodled the illustrations and to my surprise, they weren’t half bad. The thought occurred to me that “maybe I could illustrate my book” – and, after lots of battling with that mean little voice inside my head, I decided to do it. In 2013, published my book, Moments Meant to Savor. I did the illustrations in paper collage and I loved the medium! So, I kept doing collage art. And I am, happily, still at it! By using everyday items, like magazines, newspapers, books, tissue paper, postcards, maps, ledger paper with colored pencils, paints and glue, I create pieces that are colorful, whimsical, and HAPPY! My mission for my art is to bring a little bit of HAPPY into the world, one piece at a time. In today’s world we are so divided, surrounded with lots of anger and fear, and grappling with hard issues like racism, xenophobia, and misogyny it is hard to feel optimistic and positive at times. The negativity can be overwhelming, and the creative process is my way to practice and choose happiness. And, the bonus, is that I get to share my art with others! We all need happy little reminders of the good that is all around us. It is my hope that my art brings smiles to faces and adds a little bit joy into the world!” See more of Kim’s art – http://www.kimdettmer.com/ and on Instagram – Process video below… *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Kim. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 46 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 Julie – In her own words… “Most of the time, I’m referred to as “Mom” or “Attorney.” But during basketball season, I’m referred to as Coach Workman. In my little corner of the world, I’m trying to instill confidence and passion in the girls I coach, both on and off the basketball court. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I was a college athlete (basketball and softball) and have always been passionate about sports. After college, I played recreational softball until I was eight weeks pregnant with my first daughter. When she turned five, I started coaching her through our local YMCA basketball program; ten years later, I’m still coaching. Eventually, I coached my older daughter’s travel team, and then my younger daughter’s YMCA teams and travel team. My coaching philosophy is simple. Work hard, have fun and don’t take the easy way out. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 Girls benefit from being athletes in countless ways. Sports teach discipline, time management and a powerful work ethic. Sports teach girls to be competitive, proud and strong. Sports give girls tremendous self-esteem. The girls I’ve been fortunate enough to coach develop confidence and passion; they are hard-working and energetic. They stand up to bullies. They may not win all of their games, but they learn from their defeats. Every minute on the court makes them better players and better people who are equipped to challenge the status quo. I am inspired by our United States Women’s National Soccer Team and their fight for equality in pay. I don’t buy the argument that ‘the women’s team does not deserve equal pay because they do not generate the same revenue that men’s teams generate.’ Women’s teams have been sidelined by society for generations and therefore have not had a meaningful opportunity to generate a fan base until now. Having strong women on the world stage who are willing to risk everything for equal treatment may be just what the world needs for female athletes to get the attention and opportunities to which they are entitled. If we can inspire our girls to pursue their passions, they and their fans will demand equal court time, equal media attention and equal opportunities well beyond their grade school travel ball days. Like the USWNT, girls who work hard and push back will change the world. ©Amy Boyle Photography 2019 I have no doubt that having been a college athlete gave me the confidence to graduate from Northwestern University School of Law, to embark on a successful career in the male-dominated commercial real estate industry and to have the self-awareness and discipline to prioritize coaching alongside my challenging work schedule and wonderful, crazy family life. I hope that my passion filters through to my teams and that, through the work ethic and competitiveness they absorb, they will pursue their dreams and refuse to take “no” for an answer. I am grateful for the opportunity I had and for what it taught me, and I hope to show that gratitude by instilling my love of sports in the next generation of female athletes.” *** Please follow along on instagram as well and learn more about Julie. This year for my birthday, I am embarking on a weekly photo essay project highlighting 52 Phenomenal Women. This is week 45 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