coming of age

As women age, they are expected to reach a level of self-realization and embrace their unique experiences. However, Western societies often associate aging with negative physical changes and increased dependence on others, leading to societal stigmas. Women frequently experience shame surrounding their bodies and needs, especially as they grow older, which often compounds their feelings of shame.

The complex aging process presents a double-edged sword for women, as it allows them to acquire a vast knowledge of life and themselves while also burdening them with cultural biases related to gender, class, and age. Some women feel the injustice of societal treatment, which leads to social and emotional seclusion, while others thrive during this period. The concept of Coming of age explores the idea of living without shame, even as societal norms dictate otherwise. The women photographed are all between 50-70 years old. They are daughters, mothers, and grandmothers but most importantly, they are active members of their communities. Ranging from farmers, artists, volunteers, and activists, these women push back as they live their lives as their unapologetic selves.