On Saturday, August 20, 2011, the exhibit Women of Courage opened in Scottsdale, Arizona featuring 31 drawings highlighting the true movers and shakers of Arizona politics, community engagement, rescue & awareness efforts, and education. Most of all, the work each woman did was straight from her heart and soul, and many of these women continue their work this day never seeking attention, lofty titles or an ego boost. They don't have to, for doing what is right simply comes naturally to them.
With such spirited, decent and hard-working women, I wanted to honor each in some way. What better way to celebrate their lives and sacrifices than to draw a portrait and include a bio so that anyone viewing would know their names and what they did to change a part of the world for the better!
They are moms, aunts, wives, grandmothers, divorced, single, religious, not religious, from all political, racial, socio-economic, ethnic & lifestyle persuasions, and they simply made the decision to do the right thing in the face of adversity no matter who or what stood in their way - and that takes courage!
Women of Courage has been exhibited in Scottsdale, Tucson, Casa Grande and Denver, and the roster of women on the list continues to grow!
Photo by Mike Shaw
Artist Lisa Ruth (in center sitting) surrounded by some of the Women Of Courage at the opening reception on 8/20/2011. From left to right: Karen Schutte, Gloria Fancone, Lynn St. Angelo, Gabriela Saucedo Mercer, Honey Marques, Jennifer Fendia Leslie, Diane Burnette, and Ally Miller.