AMES, Iowa -- Photographs of ordinary Mexican women doing extraordinary things are on display through Friday, Dec. 3, in Gallery 181, College of Design, Iowa State University. The gallery's hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"Daring to Be" is an exhibit of photographs by Jann Freed, professor of business management at Central College, Pella. Freed also will present a lecture, "Daring to Be: Portraits of Mexican Women Leaders," at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, in Gallery 181. The exhibit and lecture are free and open to the public.
While teaching and conducting research in Merida, Yucatan, Freed recorded the faces and stories of women working to make a positive difference in the lives of others. George Ann Huck, professor of Spanish and director of Central College in Yucatan, also is involved in the research.
"While the research project focuses on women leaders, we discovered that the project is more encompassing than just interviewing and photographing women leaders," Freed said. "We realized we were learning about women working to change systems, challenging family roles, taking nontraditional risks in order to create social change that benefits others."
The continuing project began in 1998. It is supported by the Iowa Arts Council, Humanities Iowa, Iowa Sister States and Central College.
The exhibit is sponsored by the College of Design. The lecture is sponsored by the Women's Studies Program. For more information, contact Jill Bystydzienski, director, (515) 294-9733.