Recognizing the women who connect us to travel experiences 

by Carolyn Ray, Editor-in-Chief, JourneyWoman

International Women’s Day (IWD) is coming up on March 8, 2022, and as we’ve done in previous years, we’d like to highlight photographs showcasing women from around the world and invite you to participate.

This year, however, I wanted to do something different. The IWD 2022 theme is Break the Bias: “Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together, we can forge women’s equality. Collectively, we can all #BreakTheBias.” (Source IWD website)

Photo Criteria: Women That Connect Us—to each other, places and experiences

As with our previous photography exhibitions, this is about sharing women’s stories. We are seeking photographs that show either the woman/women who helped create a memorable experience for you on your travels, past or present.

This could be a local travel experience or an international one. It could be several years old or a new one that you’ve just experienced. We’re looking for photographs that show travel at home as well as those taken abroad.

You will be asked to provide a brief description of the photo, where it was taken, who is in it, and when it was taken. Tell us a story about the woman or the place and how this woman impacted your travel experience.

Timing and Process

Please send in your photographs by March 1, 2022.

Our curators will choose the most meaningful photographs and stories and we’ll share them on our website and in social media.

Final selections will be published in a special feature on March 8, 2022 and yes, there will be prizes for both the woman in the photograph and the winning entry.

As with all of our activities, JourneyWoman will make a donation to non-profit organizations that support women and we always encourage you to do the same.

Examples of Entries

To help you get started, here are two photographs I took on my recent travels. Remember, the story is as important as the photograph!

Who: Brooklyn McHale 

Where: Banff, Alberta, Canada

When: August 2021 

“I met these five women in the backcountry of Banff, Alberta on my horseback riding tour in August 2021. The young woman on the left-hand side is Brooklyn, who is one of five female guides at Banff Trail Riders, the largest horse-riding outfit in Canada, with over 300 horses and mules. I had never ridden a horse for six days, so this was incredibly uncomfortable for me. (Okay, I was terrified.) I’m grateful to Brooklyn for helping me step out of my comfort zone, to learn how to ride (and trust) my horse and enjoy the journey.  Also pictured: Erica from Ontario, Danny from New Zealand, Dakota from Australia, and Emily.”

Introducing our IWD curators

This year, I’ve invited three experienced photographers from our Women’s Travel Directory to help me curate and choose submissions.

Mindy Véissid, Art of Intuitive Photography: Mindy is an innovative, award-winning international fine art photographer and founder of the boutique school Art of Intuitive Photography in New York. Her approach to photography focuses on using intuition, vulnerability, and trust to show a deeper sense of who she is and what she sees.