The Power of Women

The Power of Women - exhibition

Photo: Mihaela Noroc

See a glimpse of each image by acclaimed photographer Mihaela Noroc from the exhibition The Power of Women and read Mihaela's own stories about the portraits.📷

Mihaela Noroc

Fotograf Mihaela Noroc

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Mihaela Noroc is an internationally acclaimed Romanian photographer who has been traveling the world for over a decade, using her camera to showcase the unique beauty and diversity of women around the globe. 

The first book that grew out of her travels was "THE ATLAS OF BEAUTY: Women of the World in 500 Portraits", and her work has been featured in publications such as CNN, TIME, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Glamour.

The Power of Women: An Atlas of Beauty

The Power of Women

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Mihaela Noroc’s latest photography collection, "The Power of Women: An Atlas of Beauty Book", showcases powerful stories and essays inspired by her profound experiences photographing women around the world.

A follow-up to 2017’s bestselling "THE ATLAS OF BEAUTY: Women of the World in 500 Portraits", this new collection features 500 stunning photographs accompanied by stories and lessons learned from women across the globe.

After more than eight years of intense work and challenges, "The Power of Women" is more than just a collection of photos—it is a precious source of inspiration and courage for anyone seeking valuable lessons from the women Mihaela has photographed and from Mihaela herself. With insights on hard work, resilience, survival, and finding joy and purpose amidst adversity, this collection offers a transformative journey for those looking to discover their own unique inner strength.

Probably a World Premiere

The exhibition The Power of Women on Østre Mole in Bogense showcases a stunning collection of photographs, stories, and lessons learned and shared from women all across the world.

VIETNAM

Kvinde fra Vietnam

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Ta Mai lives in a small village and is part of an ethnic group called Red Dao. In her community, women wear this kind of red turban only after they get married. Ta Mai got married when she was only sixteen. Now she’s twenty and already has two children. That’s common in her community. What is uncommon is that she had a love marriage.

The lives of these fascinating people are complicated. They mostly live off agriculture, eating only rice and a few vegetables every day. And still they wear beautiful handmade clothes that take months to weave. This might seem impractical for people in many parts of the world: struggling to survive while dedicating so much time to craft and beauty. But I believe that any human being needs authentic beauty, and those who have a simple life are sometimes closer to it.

OMO VALLEY, ETHIOPIA

Etiopia Valley, Mihaela Noroc

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Kaale, an ethnic Daasanach, is part of an agropastoral community. Despite their challenging lives as nomads, the Daasanach people place great importance on their appearance. The women’s hairstyles not only showcase their beauty but also serve as markers of their marital status.

In Kaale’s case, her distinctive hairstyle reveals that she is unmarried.

Some would say this is a part of the captivating story of humanity. Others would say that, on the contrary, this is not empowering at all for the twenty-first century. In the end, our world is a complex tapestry with thousands of nuances and thousands of differing opinions.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Kvindelig racerkører fra UAE af Mihaela Noroc

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Against all prejudices, Amna Al Qubaisi fell in love with sports cars during her childhood and became the first Emirati female racing driver. Her journey was far from easy. She lives in a conservative society in which many people believe that this field is not appropriate for a woman, but she has managed to succeed anyway. 

At the young age of twenty-one, she has already built a prolific career.

KYIV, UKRAINE

Uliana Pcholkina fra Kyiv, Ukraine

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Uliana Pcholkina and her brother were raised by a single mother. Her brother was born with a disability, and Uliana herself became paralyzed at the age of twenty-one after a terrible road accident.

Uliana endured immense suffering, but she told me that her mother suffered even more. Witnessing her mother’s devastation served as Uliana’s motivation to gather strength and move forward. She embarked on a new journey, becoming a Para-Karate champion and then a television presenter, which made her mother smile again. 

At the time when I met her, she was providing guidance to others who had recently experienced similar accidents. Unfortunately, terrible new challenges followed for Uliana. During the early days of the war in Ukraine, she was trapped in her Bucha home, surrounded by heavy bombardments and armed attacks. Confined to her wheelchair, escape was impossible. 

Fortunately she survived, and today she remains strong and determined, continuing to make a difference in her homeland by assisting other people with disabilities who are grappling with the horrible consequences of war.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Kvindelig tømrer i Bagdad, Irak

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Noor grew up in a country devastated by conflicts. She was also always surrounded by conservative people. Despite these obstacles, she managed to become a skilled and respected carpenter.

It all began when Noor decided to learn how to create her own furniture out of necessity—the cost of buying it was too high. The results were spectacular, and over time, she established her own workshop in her courtyard. Initially, many people around her were unwilling to accept that a woman could be a carpenter, but her husband remained consistently supportive. 

Today, Noor works tirelessly to fulfill orders while also taking care of her four children. She dreams of one day opening a small carpentry school for women.

It is rare to witness a woman crafting and repairing wooden objects anywhere in the world. However, to witness such a sight in Iraq is truly astonishing.

MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA

Politikvinde i Colombia

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Maybe no police force in the world has faced as many challenges as the one from Medellín during the times of Pablo Escobar. Nataly grew up during this time and decided she wanted to fight for peace and justice as a police officer.

Nataly’s father was a police officer, too. She was only four years old when her dad was murdered while on a mission against Pablo Escobar’s cartel. Today, Nataly is a captain in the Colombian police. She has sixty subordinates, most of whom are men. It must be much harder for a woman to gain the respect of such a team, but Nataly has prepared for that since she was a little girl.

Things are better today in Medellín thanks to fearless people like Nataly and her father. We call these kinds of people brave and courageous, but I also like to call them beautiful.

LADAKH, INDIA

To indiske kvinder

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

This is how these two sisters dress every day. When I noticed them, they were relaxing and enjoying the sunny day next to their homes. Here, television and the internet aren’t common pastimes. 

Instead, relaxation means sitting beside the main road and observing village life.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

En kvindelig rytter med to heste i Nordcalifornien

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Gillian Larson is riding her horses through the most remote and wild places in the United States. She has a degree in biology, and her incredible expeditions blend a love of the outdoors with respect and care for her amazing horses.

After navigating the many challenges of the wilderness during her long expeditions, she shares the routes and the information so others can enjoy these fabulous experiences as well.

MONGOLIA

Yurt i Mongoliet

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

In Mongolia, you’ll also feel close to the sky. In this vast steppe, you can sometimes drive for hours before you’ll finally see the yurt of some nomads. 

They always wear a deel, which is an item of typical Mongolian clothing resembling a robe.

TOKYO, JAPAN

Gravid kvinde i Japan

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Shoko, eight months pregnant, was waiting for a train when I met her. 

She is a hip-hop dancer and teacher, and she was excited about becoming a mother very soon.

CHICHICASTENANGO, GUATEMALA

Kvinde i Guatemala

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Micaela was selling these sweet, delicious fruits called loquats when I noticed her in the market of this small town. If you look at a loquat tree, you’ll notice that these fruits grow in many small clusters—exactly like families. And Micaela’s story is one about family.

Micaela told me proudly that she was a seller in this market before she was born. That’s because Micaela’s mother was already working here while pregnant with her. Micaela became the oldest of ten siblings. Being the eldest, she not only helped her family at the market but also acted as a second mother to her brothers and sisters.

Was this a burden for her? On the contrary. In many traditional parts of the world, people have very hard lives. But it’s the connection with their families and with local traditions that gives them the strength and the bright spirit to see the beauty of life.

LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES

Alura McNeely is a falconer. She saves hawks, raises them, and releases them. She also takes care of a fascinating owl. She is the mother of two girls, and I was amazed to find out how great it is to raise kids with birds at home. 

Alura is actually doing therapy with her birds for children who face difficulties, and the results are exceptional.

Alura’s own childhood was difficult, but once she discovered falconry, she knew it would be her path. In the beginning, male falconers told her that a woman can’t be a falconer, but soon she proved them wrong.

GLEN, SWEDEN

Samisk kvinde med rensdyr

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Deep in the forests of northern Sweden lies this small Sámi village with just a few houses. For outsiders, it may seem like the end of the road, but for Evelina Solsten, it’s where the road begins.

The Sámi are an Indigenous people of northern Europe, traditionally reindeer herders, known for their unique languages and cultural identity. Evelina is passionate about preserving her people’s traditions.

Although she currently lives in the city to pursue her university studies, she dreams of returning to her village to raise reindeer and spread knowledge about Sámi culture and reindeer herding.

In Sámi culture, every newborn receives reindeer from family, and it is considered a sacred mission to care for them throughout their lives. Evelina is determined to educate others about Sámi culture and combat prejudices, ensuring her heritage is respected and understood.

SACRED VALLEY, PERU

Kvinde i Peru

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

When I met her, Escolastica, eighty-eight years old, was walking home. She was joyful and energetic, full of humor and wisdom. She told me she has walked and walked all her life—on the steep slopes of this fascinating valley, between its isolated villages, and sometimes carrying heavy burdens exactly like her ancestors, the Incas.

In many places of the world, we go to the gym to stay in shape and buy tours to visit such breathtaking  landscapes. But Escolastica has these for free. Without a doubt, life is very hard in this kind of place, but it comes with different kinds of rewards.

And maybe this is the secret to Escolastica’s bright and vivid spirit.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO

Kvinde i Mexico City

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Escaramuza charra is Mexico’s only female equestrian event. Teams ride horses in choreographed movements accompanied by music. It’s a sport but also an art. It’s traditional but still very popular in the modern world.

Celine has practiced the artistic sport since she was little. For fifteen years, she has been riding Golden, her beloved horse. She feels that they are in a perfect symbiosis, and this really makes a difference in a sport defined by details.

Dressing for a competition takes hours, and there are strict guidelines for all the costumes, which are inspired by female soldiers who fought in the Mexican Revolution. All embroidered details are sewn by hand, and the sombreros have a leather strap that sits under the chin.

Celine and all the other Mexican women who practice this unique sport prove that strength and elegance can go hand in hand.

MILAN, ITALY

Italienske kvinder demonstrerer for fred

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

These women were meeting once per week in the center of the city to raise awareness about conflicts around the world and make an appeal for peace. 

They were holding placards with the word “peace” written in different languages.

NEW YORK CITY, UNITED STATES

Balletdanser i New York

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Erica Lall, a ballerina at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre, makes the grand jeté seem effortless. Yet years of dedication and passion lie behind each graceful leap.

Ballet has fascinated Erica since she was little—in her eyes, it was the most challenging form of dance. During those years, she was usually the only dark-skinned girl in class in her Texas hometown. She was constantly advised to avoid the sun so she would not get too tanned. It must have felt terrible to hear such comments, but Erica kept soaring higher and higher. 

Her efforts and talent didn’t go unnoticed. When she was fifteen, she left home and moved to New York City on her own, where she was invited to study ballet with some of the best teachers in the world. Malicious comments didn’t stop, though. At the end of the day, all those painful comments make her even more ambitious.

Besides performing for the American Ballet Theatre, she also mentors young dancers. She wishes to encourage more children and teenagers from disadvantaged communities to join ballet. Like her, they can soar over all the challenges and prejudices.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

Kvinde danser i Afghanistan

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

For many years, Fahima was likely the only female mystical dancer in Afghanistan. In a society in which any form of dance is widely considered taboo for women, she defied stereotypes. But her motivation wasn’t to prove something or satisfy her ego; it was simply to pursue what she loved most.

This dance is a part of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that emphasizes the inward search for God. The continuous whirling is a form of meditation that allows the dancer to transcend the ego and focus on God.

Fahima wanted to share this unique experience with other Afghan people, so she established a school for it. 

Unfortunately, soon after our meeting, Kabul fell to Taliban forces, which forced her to leave Afghanistan. Fahima has a great gift, and I’m sure that she will find a way to share it with the world eventually.

HARGEISA, SOMALILAND

Kvinde spiller bold i Somaliland

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

When Khadra was a teenager, she excelled as a star athlete. At that time, when her country was under the rule of a cruel dictator, she could playbasketball in public, but her freedom to practice her religion was restricted.

Later, the political regime changed, and the situation took a turn in the opposite direction. Khadra found herself able to practice her religion freely, but she was no longer permitted to play sports in public.

Khadra has always been religious and has always been an athlete. But unlike many people in Somaliland, she believes that there is no contradiction in being a devout Muslim and a woman athlete.

After her retirement, Khadra wanted to inspire new generations of young women through sports. Some years ago, she bought her own piece of land and built a wall around it to create a safe space for women and girls to play basketball.

Today, she has about fifty students, proving that women can find their voice and power against all misconceptions.

COX’S BAZAR, BANGLADESH

Kvindelig livredder i Bangladesh

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

It was a beautiful day in March when I visited Cox’s Bazar Beach, renowned as one of the longest beaches in the world.

Bangladesh is a very traditional country, so it’s common for both men and women to bathe while fully clothed. However, it is uncommon to encounter a female lifeguard. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to meet one.

Just before sunset, I noticed Sabina. She was relaxing after a day of work—right at her workplace. She shared with me her deep-rooted love for the sea. It was a feeling she had cherished for as long as she could remember. 

At that time, she was pregnant. Coincidentally, so was I. I felt a beautiful connection between us: two women, from different corners of the world, driven by passion in their professions while eagerly awaiting the arrival of their firstborns.

KIHNU ISLAND, ESTONIA

Kvinde på ø ved Estland

Photo:Mihaela Noroc

Kihnu is not just a splendid island; it is also considered by some to be Europe’s last surviving matriarchy. In a place where men were often away at sea, women always ran the show and kept the vibrant traditions.

During the communist regime, Silvia’s parents had to move from Estonia to Canada. Although Silvia was born in Canada, her love for her roots brought her back to Estonia. She now lives on Kihnu Island, where some of her ancestors lived. She works to preserve and promote the culture of this traditional and fascinating place.

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