My name is Claudia D. Hernández. I was born and raised in Guatemala. I am a bilingual educator in the city of Los Angeles and I am currently finishing a Masters in Multicultural Education at Dominguez Hills. I am also pursuing an MFA in creative writing at Antioch University Los Angeles. My photography, poetry, and short stories have been published in The Indigenous Sovereignty Issue of The Peak, Hinchas de Poesía, Poets Responding to SB1070, La Bloga, KUIKATL Literary Journal, nineteen-sixty-nine an Ethnic Studies Journal, Blood Lotus, REDzine, Kalyani Magazine, Along the River II Anthology, among others.
I've had numerous photography exhibits throughout California including: “The Waiting Compendium” at the South Gate Art Gallery, South Gate, CA; “Renuncia” at El Sereno Gallery, El Sereno, CA; “Renuncia” at Corazón del Pueblo, Boyle Heights, CA; “Concrete Reality” at the Play House, Long Beach, CA; “My Chapina Roots” at the YogArt Show, Whittier, CA; “Capturing Life” for Operation Smile fundraiser at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Long Beach, CA; "Frontera: De mi lado" photography exhibit for Proyecto Esperanza fundraiser at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Long Beach, CA; and “The Rhythm of Landscape” at the Sun Rise Poetry Series, San Francisco’s Mission District, Ca.
On March 2012, I took part in the 5th Annual ‘Día de la Mujer' exhibition in San Ysidro, Ca.
PROJECT:
I seek to curate a photography exhibit for the young girls in my community. It is my objective to photograph STRONG / SUCCESSFUL / REVOLUTIONARY women who will inspire these young girls to follow their dreams and to become who they want to be. I want young girls to learn how to recognize and overcome oppression whether it comes from government institutions, family members, or friends.
My desire is to raise awareness by planting the seeds of empowerment in the minds of young girls.
The money raised through this campaign will allow me to share these photos with my community and the world. I will also publish a book that will be given as a GIFT to every woman who attends the exhibit.
Since I will be publishing this book on my own, I have decided to work with a team consisting of an Art editor who will do the layout of the book and a book editor who will work editing the stories of resilience of each revolutionary woman. Together, we will work to produce a book and an exhibition that will not only inform, but also inspire young women to overcome any obstacle they experience throughout their lives.
EXPENSES:
Book designer -$2,000
Book Editor - $2,000
Print 150 books $5000
(given as a GIFT to each young
girl who attends the event.)
Traveling expenses $3,000
Exhibit/reception expenses $1,000
30 Frames $1,500
Photo prints $300
Mail photo pieces and books to artists $500
TOTAL =$15,300
Goal – Fees = Your Take-away
$16,500 - Fees = $15,345
If I don't reach my entire goal, the funds will go to publishing the books and paying the editors. I will find other means to raise funds for the exhibit and pay for my traveling expenses.
THE IMPACT
My project is valuable to my community and the world because I will photograph women of color who are still alive making a difference in this world with their art, activism, and love.
I have contacted approximately thirtyfive women who inspire me: writers, painters, teachers, singers, engineers, social workers, professors, directors, journalists, and activists. 35 revolutionary women have confirmed participation:
So far, I have photographed and interviewed ten revolutionary women from the Bay Area. I have recorded their interviews and short stories of resilience. The footage will be presented on opening night of the exhibit. The photography book with their stories of resilience will be published and given as a GIFT to each young girl who attends the event. I will also upload some interviews here.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
