Her Place is In Skin There is a lot going wrong in the world today. Nobody is unaffected. At such a dark point, and with so many forces around us telling us not to listen and empathize; not to think critically or take action; not to reflect, connect, and communicate; not to LOVE—it’s all the more important that we do. This photo series features 30+ women of a variety of shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. These women were challenged to wear no makeup. Posing in outfits styled to match the tone of their skin, they attempt to combat unhealthy beauty standards, claiming that true empowerment is much deeper than the skin. These women will celebrate the strength that lies in community and the power that lies in unity. We want to take a moment to note what makes these images important. It is not the aesthetic, styling, or poses. The goal is to bring to life something that travels past perceived barriers, touching on things that we, as humanity, know deep down to be true: The strength in unity, the beauty in diversity, and the power that comes in empowering others. Truths that we do not always see manifested in our country, or our world. What is important are these truths, not the photographs. We hope this image serves as a call to action. None of us is separate from these concepts. We all can take steps to cultivate them in our communities. These photos were taken in an attempt to create space for conversations, social education, community, and unity. Space to speak and listen. In this context, these photos are only a tool. They are a lens through which these womxn share their stories, which ultimately, are the stories of humanity.