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Grit & Grace: Portraits of Power & Perseverance in Women

About Grit & Grace:

Several years ago at our mother/daughter book club, I had the pleasure of meeting Kristine Ellis, fellow mom and Hamilton firefighter. She dressed in her full gear, including ventilator. I had goosebumps as I watched these girls (and women!) take in Kristine and what it meant for her to be a firefighter. I immediately knew I wanted to photograph her. Shortly thereafter, I realized I wanted to make portraits of more women doing meaningful work and pursuing their passions. 

The exhibit initially opened at the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, in May of 2018. It was on display at the Children’s Piazza in Peabody, MA from December through February, and at the Wenham Museum for March and April of 2019.

Press coverage:

Tough to Tame: Grit & Grace: Portraits of Powerful Women

Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle: Grit and Grace: New Hamilton-Wenham library photo exhibit showcases women in workforce

Boston Voyager: Meet Tracey Westgate of Tracey Westgate Photography

To read the women’s stories, visit my blog!

The women of Grit & Grace include:

  • Erin Berrigan, Preschool Teacher, Christ Church

  • Becky Bishop Abbott, Co-owner, The Children’s Piazza, Licensed Contractor, Musician

  • Anne Brainard, Owner/Founder, MOJO Coffee

  • Dr. Fiona Breslin, Emergency Room Doctor, Beverly Hospital

  • Diane Bucco, Wenham Town Clerk

  • Anjali Chitre, corporate attorney for John Hancock

  • Charae D’Ambra, Founder, The Children’s Piazza, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

  • Jan Dempsey, Director of Hamilton-Wenham Library

  • Tachou Dubuisson Brown, Owner, The Village Oasis; professional model

  • Kristine Ellis, Hamilton Firefighter

  • Roxana Frizzi, Concert Pianist and Piano Teacher

  • Nancy Henry, Founder and Owner, Garden Nana, local pet sitter

  • Katherine Hooper, Artistic Director of BoSoma Dance Company; Owner of BoSoma School of Dance

  • Lauren Kroesser, Owner and Chef, Honeycomb Bakery

  • Julie Lopes, Owner, Shirts Illustrated

  • Ariana McDonough, Senior Engineer Systems Engineering FATE (Future Affordable Turbine Engine) Program Lead, GE Aviation

  • Annika McKenna, Owner and Founder of Sea Salt Designs

  • Laura Studley, Yogi and Founder, The Village Oasis

  • Olivia Rugo, Fisheries Outreach Coordinator, NOAA Fisheries

  • Jessica Spong, Family Partner, Lahey Health Behavioral Services

  • Alison Standley, Bus Driver

  • Devan Tyack, Owner and Founder, Devan’s Canine and Equine Services; Board Member,Baby Bluebonnet Equine Rescue

  • Katie Vandi, Farmer, Meadowbrook Farms

  • Sergeant Karen Wallace, Hamilton Police Department

  • Melinda Walsh, Owner, Baker, and Barista at Postcard Coffee Company

  • Tricia Young, President, TLE Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Principal of TLE Consulting Group