Synopsis

This is a photo essay championing the wisdom and knowledge of older women. It explores and shares the lives, aspirations and learning of women from all walks of life and experiences.

The book takes us to the year each participant was 16, where she was living and, with whom. Her hopes and dreams for the future and culminates in what advice she would give her 16 year old self.

The book can be seen as purely a trip in the lives of others or used as a discussion starter to deconstruct the historical opportunities of our mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers. 

Each images pays respect and tribute to the individual, photographed at her place of choice.  

There will be worksheet questions available to initiate discussion, art projects and other class usages for educational environments and community projects.

Outline

We currently have a cast of 16 beautiful women between 60 to 85, resident in Australia and hailing from all corners of the world including the UK, Sri Lanka, India, New Zealand and the US.

I was also lucky to be introduced to two amazing Indigenous women, who were 16 before the first nation people were even recognised as citizens of Australia.

The advice comes from these, now mature women as entrepreneurs, teachers, mental health workers, artists and professors. 

The layout will include a full page image and the advice each woman gives her 16 year old self. The proceeding pages will have a summary outlining where she grew up, and with whom. Her aspirations for her future and a brief career bio. Some will feature an image of the women around the age of 16 (if available and supplied).

The book will include the authors story aged 16, image and her advice to self.

The end sections will include, conversation starters and project ideas for use within educational institutes and community programs. With the aim to spark photographic, film and other community activities to explore our lived cultural experience.

The intent is to increase the number of participants to create a book with 25 to 30 stories, depending on time and funding opportunities.

Audience

This book is intended for those interested in the everyday social history of women, photography and life journeys.

Historically womens everyday contribution and role within society has been downplayed, overshadowed, ignored or devalued.

There is a growing recognition of the importance of sharing our multi-faceted experiences. Society can no longer marginalise 51% of the worlds population.

The book is intended to empower young and old. Younger women rarely hear the stories of women outside of their own families and older women are often deemed irrelevant despite their diverse experiences within the family, work place and wider communities.

Promotion

My networks include Zonta International a global foundation (30,000 members) for the advancement of women and girls around the world. As well as women's and general business networking and community groups of which I am an active participant.

I use social media (LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram) regularly for my usual business and have contacts at broadcasting and publishing companies.

I am an active business networker with a strong client base. My contacts are also with executives and women in leading organisations and networking groups. 

I have connection with Rotary and a speaking engagement in May 2018 at a local Sydney club. 

I have links with the women currently in the project and previous supporters of the initial exhibitions. This includes the Tap Gallery, HeadOn Festival and other financial donors, family and friends.

The initial exhibition was spotlighted on ABC Breakfast, and in print media '9 to 5', a free publication distributed in the Sydney Metro area.

And as the project grows with more women involved so too will the market opportunities.

Competition

1. 200 Women - Who Will Change The Way You See The World  

Geoff Blackwell, Kieran Scott, Kieran E. Scott
Publisher: Chronicle Books, October 31, 2017

This is book includes well known women and was produced by three men. It sounds and look fabulous. There is a dearth of this type of book. 

Sweet 16 will expand on the genre providing a different perspective where ordinary older women, often ignored in society, have the platform to share their knowledge and wisdom.

2.  In the Company of Women: Inspiration and advice from over100 Makers, Artist and Entrepreneurs

Grace Bonney

Publisher: Artisan , 13th January 2017

This looks like a fabulous book about women in business.  It profiles over 100 influential and creative women of all ages, races, backgrounds and industries, including well-known names.

Sweet 16 is different in that is focuses on memory, aspirations and the lived experience of each individual. 

3. Women of Vision: National Geographic Photographers on Assignment

Aline Alexander Newman
Publisher: National Geographic, 2014

Women photographers have produced many of National Geographic's most powerful photo-narratives. These photojournalists are celebrated in this photography book, covering places and subjects around the globe.

It is beautiful, in the standard well loved and associated with National Geographic.

Sweet 16 is a less polished or venerated look at ordinary life. It's appeal and ascetic more accessible for the every day. Sweet 16 intends to inspire communication and exploration within ones own world to access the wisdom around in the every day. Be that via conversation, sparking others to pursue their own art or social history projects. And to question the assumptions made about older women.

4. Australian Graphic: A portrait of Australia

Australian Graphic

For 30 years Australian Geographic's writers and photographers have travelled the length and breadth of the country to uncover their remarkable stories. They have collated the very best in this special anniversary book, which paints an authentic portrait of Australia over a generation.

5. Only Human: Photography by Martin Parr

Only Human examines what it means to be human at a time of both change and retrospection. Martin Parr explores the photographer's most enduring subject - people - as never before. By turns witty, surprising, and ingenious, Martin Parr's photographs from the last decade reveal the eccentricities of modern life with affection and insight.

Parr is a photographic genius to whom I aspire 

6. The Female Lead

Edwina Dunn

FSC

Illustrated with original photography, this title presents portraits of sixty inspirational women, from many walks of life. All have changed the world in a variety of fields. Among them are politicians and artists, journalists and teachers, engineers and campaigners, fire fighters and film stars.