Celebrating Women on the Frontlines

What started as a passion project for local photographer, Ri, has turned into an exhibit, featuring many of the women on the front lines of COVID during the past couple of years. On March 10th, the Durango Public Library and the Women’s Resource Center hosted the opening of the temporary gallery with the women who helped bring the project to life. You’re watching the Local News Network brought to you by Closets Plus and FastSigns. I’m Wendy Graham Settle.

Kelley from the Women’s Resource Center approached her and said she wanted to do an exhibit for the women in our community that are making differences in bringing hope and finding healing and considering that I had been trying to work on a photo project of capturing some of post-pandemic life in Durango. And so she snacked at us and I partnered with them and took photos of all these amazing women to celebrate all they’ve done for us during an unfortunately very historical event in our lifetime, so yeah.

Exhibit photos are all accompanied by a little placard with the women’s name, her occupation, and often a short statement about her work. Some photos are a solo portrait. Others are of several women who work together. Occupations range from ski patrol to firefighters, nurses, to childcare providers.

I just think it’s a testament to still stick it out this long and make it through the pandemic and I think this was really cool to be featured.

During the open house on March 10th, the featured women received a rose to commemorate their participation and were able to meet some of the other women who took part in the project. If you want to stop by and read about some of the individuals featured, the gallery is in the presentation rooms at the library through the end of the month

They’re amazing, and they’re just happy to be able to help and make differences in their community, and they’re also kind and welcoming. That was one of the really fun parts for me is that everywhere I went, I had great conversations, and they were just really happy to be able to be part of it. And they thought that it was cool and they were all very humble about it. I think that that’s something that I really want to focus on is that I think in all of their own rights, they shouldn’t be humble. They have like, they’re amazing and they’re powerful and they’ve done so much, but they’re very humble about it.

To see other events for Women’s History Month or to learn more about the Women’s Resource Center, visit wrcdurango.org. To see more of Ri’s photography or learn more about Wild Child Adventure Collective, visit wildchildadventurecollective.com. Thank you for watching this edition of the Local News Network. I’m Wendy Graham Settle.

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