American People Project

the photographs: women

Women account for 50.7 percent of the U.S. population, and have an average lifespan of 81 years. High school graduation rates for women continued to exceed those of men, and women will earn 58 percent of the bachelor’s and 61 percent of the master’s degrees awarded during the school year 2006-2007.

Name:AidaAge:18Date photographed:September 27, 2006City of birth:Mashhad, IranEthnic heritage:PersianOccupation:CNA studentMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Moving to AmericaWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:The number of languages I know: I speak Persian, Turkish, some French, and some Sign Language
   
Name:VirginiaAge:114Year born:1894Date photographed:February 18, 2008City of birth:Vaughen, MSEthnic heritage:African AmericanSomething you have always wanted to do:Help the sickMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Moving to Chicago in 1951What would people be surprised to learn about you:People are surprised to learn that I am in my 114th year of age
   
Name:KarenAge:56Date photographed:February 22, 2008City of birth:Carrollton, ILEthnic heritage:Irish, Welsh, ScottishOccupation:Actor/DesignerSomething you have always wanted to do:Sail across the Pacific Ocean in a sail boatWhat would your dream job be:Musician - pianist
     
  
Name:ReolaAge:82Date photographed:January 18, 2006City of birth:Waco, NEEthnic heritage:GermanOccupation:Farmer's wifeNumber of grandchildren:6 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildrenSomething you have always wanted to do:I couldn't say there was anything else to do other than what I did: I was so busy doing thatMost life-changing event that has happened to you:When we (husband and children) moved from Nebraska to Illinois when I was 35 years oldWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I was one of eleven children growing up - number four in the birth order, and born at homeWhat would your dream job be:A nurse: I took care of my grandmother for years when I was young...I wanted to apply for mail training to be a nurse, but my father wouldn't let me
   
Name:IrisaAge:12Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:Winfield, ILEthnic heritage:Hispanic, EuropeanNumber of siblings:2
  
Name:SandraAge:41Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Dundee, MSEthnic heritage:African AmericanOccupation:Day Care ProviderSomething you have always wanted to do:Go to JamaicaMost life-changing event that has happened to you:The death of my sister and her two kidsWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:How quiet I amBest thing about being your age:I still look good at my ageWhat would your dream job be:President
     
  
Name:CarmenAge:38Date photographed:July 19, 2007City of birth:Matanzas, CubaEthnic heritage:Latin/CubanOccupation:PediatricianMilitary experince:2 years in the Cuban ArmyMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Escaping Cuba for the United States; after 4 days going without water and food I could join my family in the U.S.What would people be surprised to learn about you:I used to make $25.00 a month as a physician in CubaWhat would your dream job be:Pediatrician
   
Name:EikoAge:31Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Fujisawa, JapanEthnic heritage:AsianOccupation:Psychologist Candidate at Wheaton CollegeSomething you have always wanted to do:Travel around the worldMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Coming to the United StatesWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I am still in schoolWhat would your dream job be:Clinical Psychologist
   
Name:PriscillaAge:82Date photographed:September 1, 2006City of birth:Rockford, ILEthnic heritage:Swedish, French, German, EnglishWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I am an artist and a ventriloquist
     
  
Name:DarcellAge:32Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:Chicago, ILEthnic heritage:African AmericanOccupation:Stay-at-home MomWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:People think I'm crazy, but would be surprised to learn about my big heartSomething you have always wanted to do:Become a dancerWhat would your dream job be:Youth Ministry and Theater
   
Name:KayleiAge:8Date photographed:September 1, 2006City of birth:Rockford, ILOccupation:3rd graderSomething you have always wanted to do:Go to Disney WorldMost life-changing event that has happened to you:My Mom and Dad's divorceBest thing about being your age:Going to school
   
Name:CarlaAge:23Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:Oakland, CAEthnic heritage:African American, Native AmericanOccupation:Registration SpecialistSomething you have always wanted to do:Go to GreeceWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:That I am a full-time mother and college student
     
  
Name:RuthAge:91Date photographed:December 14, 2006City of birth:Wilhelmshafen, GermanyEthnic heritage:GermanMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Bribing German Nazis to release my husband from a concentration camp
   
Name:YingAge:55Date photographed:July 28, 2006Country of birth:ChinaEthnic heritage:ChineseOccupation:ProfessorWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:I was a member of the Red Army in China
   
Name:ReneeAge:51Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:Chicago, ILEthnic heritage:Caucasian, Native AmericanOccupation:Office AdministratorMost life-changing event that has happened to you:Swimming with dolphinsWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:How sexual I amSomething you have always wanted to do:Meet the President
     
  
Name:TaylerAge:9Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:Rockford, ILMost life-changing event that has happened to you:D.C.F.S.Something you have always wanted to do:SingWhat would your dream job be:Teacher
   
Name:BeatriceAge:102Date photographed:December 6, 2007City of birth:Blaine County, OKEthnic heritage:African AmericanOccupation:Housekeeper for various movie stars in HollywoodNumber of grandchildren:16 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and great great great grandchildren - there are 6 living generations in my familySomething you have always wanted to do:I got to drive all over the US, and I got to go to Jamacia and HawaiiMost life-changing event that has happened to you:When each of my 2 husbands diedWhat would people be surprised to learn about you:People would be surprised that I've lived 102 years! Also that I still get around great and cook my own food - I am known for my biscuits...I will go down in history as the Best Biscuit-maker. Also, I can still recite a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem I learned in 3rd grade. I never drank, never smoked - never had time! Never been drag'in through life!
   
Name:NoorAge:3Date photographed:September 2, 2006City of birth:Al-Mafraq, JordanEthnic heritage:Arab
     
  
Name:DionnaAge:28Date photographed:September 3, 2006City of birth:San Francisco, CAEthnic heritage:African American, MexicanOccupation:Independent Beauty ConsultantSomething you have always wanted to do:Go to Brazil and see the rainforestWhat would your dream job be:Professional ShopperMost life-changing event that has happened to you:I was hit by a semi truck and nearly lost my lifeBest thing about being your age:Independence; I'm not too old and not too young, I am just right
   
Name:CandaceAge:49Date photographed:September 1, 2006City of birth:Marshfield, WIOccupation:Respiratory TherapistSomething you have always wanted to do:Take a napWhat would your dream job be:Retired