Mother Line Project

As the mother of two grown daughters and an advocate for women’s rights, my project, The Mother Line, explores interactions between generations of mothers and daughters pertaining to their cultural heritage, history and personal experience. The participants represent a wide variety of backgrounds, to highlight diversity and promote respect for all women and girls. It focuses on female contributions to society, as sexism, racism and misogyny persist around the world, acknowledging that the traditions and ideologies which women pass on to the next generation, are powerful. 

By word of mouth, I’ve asked women and girls in my community, who come from widely different backgrounds, to pose for my antique Deardorff 8 X 10 view camera at their homes. I make the portraits on black and white film, digitize them, make color photos of the mothers and daughters interacting, and record a conversation with each family about their challenges and aspirations. What effect does race, religion, geography, and genetics have on family patterns? How and why do we decide what is important to pass on to our daughters? Does generational trauma transfer as well as traits? What do daughters give back to their mothers? And, how has the status of motherhood and womanhood evolved over time? Are we better off now? The moms discuss issues such as balancing career with home life, birthing problems, their decision to have children, family trauma, relations and traditions. The daughters tell stories about family experiences and describe their dreams for the future and/or struggles. Many express tenderness or gratefulness towards their mom. Often, the moms and daughters share personal feelings about their relationship with each other, friendly and frustrating. 

Through immigration or ancestry, the families represent a plethora of countries including Mexico, Venezuela, Turkey, Germany, Ireland, Korea, Ghana, Puerto Rico, Afghanistan, and cultures such as Jewish and Indigenous. They also represent variety in family and societal position. Some are married, some single. Some have extended family and multiple generations, some motherless. Virtually all the adults are employed, students or are retired. But their jobs and careers vary widely, from doctors and lawyers to scientists, artists and housekeepers. Despite these differences, many mothers and grandmothers share similar hopes for their daughters. They want them to find respect, opportunities, fairness and an environment that allows them to be themselves and to thrive. They’ve all experienced joy and hardship, yet demonstrate resilience. I feel honored that they’ve shared their stories with me.