Seventh annual photography exhibition focuses on women’s suffrage around the world
A part of the citywide celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
The Muhammad Ali Center’s seventh annual international photography contest and exhibition, Shining a Light, opens to the public on March 7th in celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8th. The theme of this year’s exhibition, Women’s Fight for the Right, focuses on women’s suffrage around the world.
Inspired by Muhammad Ali’s core principle of Respect, gender equity holds a place of significance in the Ali Center’s programming and temporary exhibitions. Beyond the fact that gender equality is a basic human right as defined by the United Nations, the empowerment of women is critical to the health, productivity, and happiness of families and our communities, both locally and globally.
This year’s Shining a Light received over 400 photo submissions from 65 countries. Winning entries include: Self Signature by Amitava Chandra from India in first place, Our Future, Now by Anthony Mayen from the United States in second place, and Yemeni Elections by Angham Al-Sarhi from Yemen in third place. Honorable Mentions include: Victory by Ahmed Khalid from Sudan, Solidariedade by Marcus Antonio Ramos Esteves from Brazil, The Mother of Slaves by Matthieu Dandoy from France, The Street to Us by Shaimaa Sayed from Egypt, and Voting in the Presidential Election by Tohid Mahdizadeh from Iran.
Shining a Light: Women’s Fight for the Right is a part of the citywide initiative to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment, women’s right to vote, and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. The Muhammad Ali Center is one of more than 100 community partners to celebrate these two milestones, with community efforts led by The Frazier Museum, The League of Women Voters, and The Louisville Metro Office for Women.
The Ali Center will also present programming around Shining a Light: Women’s Fight for the Right to demonstrate the importance of women’s right to vote. The programs will take place throughout the run of the exhibit.
All programming for Shining a Light is free and open to the public. Admission to the exhibits is not included in the programming. Dates and information are listed below:
Family Day :: Suffragette Sash Design :: Saturday, March 21st, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Families are invited to celebrate women’s suffrage by designing their own ‘Votes for Women’ sash.
Family Day :: What Are You Fighting For? :: Saturday, May 23rd, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Families are invited to design their own protest sign.
Iron Jawed Angels Film Screening :: Thursday, June 4th, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Film Synopsis: Defiant young activists take the women’s suffrage movement by storm, putting their lives at risk to help American women win the right to vote. Special thanks to HBO for providing Iron Jawed Angels to the Ali Center. Doors open at 5:30pm. Seating is on a first come, first-served basis. The link to register can be found HERE.
Women of the Movement :: Saturday, July 25th, from 12:30pm to 2:00pm
The Ali Center is partnering with The Political Women’s Council to host a session that will guide attendees through the political process with strategy and confidence. Participants will gain the knowledge on how to run for office, how to frame their platform by sharing and discussing with their families, and the requirements for residency to filing. Fundraising, social media, and paid digital campaigns are other elements that will be covered during the event. Link to register can be found HERE.
Suffragette Film Screening :: Tuesday, August 18th, from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Film Synopsis: In 1912 London, a young working mother is galvanized into radical political activism supporting the right for women to vote, and is willing to meet violence with violence to achieve this end. Doors open at 5:30pm. Seating is on a first come, first-served basis. The link to register can be found HERE.
Shining a Light, featuring 32 photos, will be on display at the Ali Center until Wednesday, August 26th. The cost of the exhibit is included in regular admission pricing.