5889 years of collective life experience and wisdom.
I am thrilled to announce that my portrait campaign featuring 100 vibrant women over 50 will be showcased at the Hillsboro Library at Brookwood. The gallery will run throughout the month of March in honor of Women’s History Month!
This exhibit is not just a collection of stunning photographs but a celebration of the rich diversity and knowledge that comes with aging. With a combined 5,889 years of collective life experience, these 100 women embody resilience, beauty, and strength.
Mary Loftin interviewed me for this writeup here:
https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/Home/Components/News/News/14495/
I’m excited to share more about the inspiration behind the project and invite you to join us for a month-long celebration of life, beauty, and wisdom!
5889 Years of Collective Wisdom
In 2021, at the height of the pandemic, I embarked on a journey to photograph 50 (extra)ordinary women over the age of 50, primarily from the Portland Metro area. The plan was to hold an exhibit in late 2021 or early 2022, but with Covid concerns, the celebration was delayed.
That didn’t stop us! In fact, the delay allowed the project to grow, and it ultimately doubled in size, becoming an even more meaningful celebration, representing more than 5,000 collective years of experience.
With Women’s History Month just around the corner, the wait is over! The final gallery features portraits of 100 remarkable women, each with unique stories of loss, growth, and triumph.
I noted the women’s ages during their portrait session to figure out how many years of life experiences made up the project. The 2021 participants contributed 2,934 years, and the 2022 participants added 2,955 years. And that’s how we arrived at the title of this post – 5889!
5889 YEARS of collective wisdom, experiences, and beauty!
Inspiration for the Project
At the heart of this project was a deep appreciation for the vital role women play in our communities. This project is a tribute to the participants, a celebration of diversity, and a way of acknowledging the shared humanity that connects us all.
With every interview and portrait, I was moved by the vulnerability and bravery each woman brought to the metaphorical table. I felt a deep sense of responsibility to document them beautifully and explore their stories. And now, I get to share it with the world!
Celebrating Women’s Stories and Diversity
The participants all have one thing in common: they’re over 50 years old. Beyond that, each woman is a unique individual with different life experiences. During their interviews, they touched on a wide range of topics, creating a rich tapestry of stories and insights.
The women shared their vulnerable stories about the issues listed below and so much more.
You’ll see exactly where the 5889 YEARS of lived experiences come in just by glancing at this list!
- Enjoying 40+ years of marriage and counting
- Rejecting unrealistic beauty standards
- Battling and beating multiple cancer diagnoses
- Learning to live in the moment
- Validating the life journeys of others
- Loss of a dream home to wildfires
- Taking up new hobbies, like car racing!
- Navigating a Parkinson’s diagnosis
- Practicing the power of pausing
- Helping partners through terminal cancer
- Going back to college as an adult
- Journeys in the workforce from pre-computer days to today
- Personal growth and renewed confidence with age
- Forging a new path after divorce
- Finding joy in community and volunteering
- Navigating single parenting
- Leaving marriage and coming out as lesbian
- Discovering more meaningful love and connections with age
- Unearthing a new level of self-determination
- Living abroad with a partner
A throughline among this group of very diverse women was their determination, perseverance, and personal growth that came with aging. It’s an inspiring reminder that no matter our age or circumstances, we can all find beauty in life and forge a new path.
The Gallery Reception and Event Details
I’m thrilled to invite you to the public reception and exhibit to celebrate and pay tribute to these 100 amazing participants. The Hillsboro Library at Brookwood has graciously agreed to host the event, which is open to all and free of charge.
We encourage participants to come early and socialize with one another if they’d like. During the reception, each participant will have the option to speak on an “open mic” for one minute on any topic that is important to them. While I understand that public speaking can be a bit intimidating, please know that this part is completely optional.
Here are the exciting details of the event:
- Date: March 9th
- Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
- Cost: Free (and open to the public)
- Venue: Hillsboro Library at Brookwood
- Address: 2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy, Hillsboro, OR 97124
RSVP NOT Required! Just show up! We’d love to see you there!
Please note that the public reception will only be held on March 9th, but the gallery exhibit will be on display for the entire month of March in celebration of Women’s History Month!
Here are the library hours:
Monday through Thursday : 10 am to 8 pm
Friday through Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
Supporting Survivors of Domestic Abuse through Print Sale
When the exhibit draws to a close, the portraits on display will be available for purchase by their subjects on April 1st. The suggested donation of $200 per print will go directly to SCARS, a non-profit organization that supports survivors of domestic abuse.
The women in this campaign have overcome many challenges, and some have bravely shared their experiences with abuse. By purchasing your photo print, you can positively impact our community and help those who have suffered from abuse.
If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse, check out the resources and information available on the SCARS website.
An Open Love Letter to the Participants
It was a privilege to learn about your remarkable lives and the grace with which you navigated hard situations. You’re an inspiration to many, but especially to the younger version of yourselves.
Thank you for bringing this project to life and sharing your stories with the world.
With much love and admiration,
Rachel (and team)
P.S. To read more inspiring stories from these amazing women, head to my website, where you can find each woman’s personalized interview and portrait.
The Gallery Show is available at the Hillsboro Brookwood Library, in the gallery on the second floor. It is free and open to the public during all library hours. Stop by and have a look!
Monday through Thursday : 10 am to 8 pm
Friday through Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
2850 NE Brookwood Pkwy
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
I also want to thank my incredible team (below) for helping make the portrait session experience comfortable for many. They made every woman feel loved on, and that was a huge part of the program’s success! Thank you all- Kerrin, Maggie, Emily, Madi, and Lexie! With a special note of thanks to Paige Lubke of Lubke Transformations for helping get the installation in the gallery set up.
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