Birmingham Celebrates StrongHer: Power of Women Supporting Women

On International Women’s Day during Women’s History Month, the city of Birmingham celebrated the unsung she-roes of the city with the unveiling of the StrongHer art exhibit in Birmingham City Hall. The exhibit, Textures of Strength, showcases inspirational stories of women from various backgrounds and experiences, demonstrated the power and beauty of women supporting women.

The Art Exhibit

Mayor Randall Woodfin, surrounded by this year’s StrongHer honorees and guests, unveiled the art exhibit, paying tribute to many of the city’s unsung she-roes. “All the women you see here that are present, today ladies we celebrate you, we acknowledge you, we honor you. I’m honored you’ve shared your gifts with us, your families, your communities and the City of Birmingham,” said Woodfin. “And what makes this moment even more special is the art you see …. It’s testament to the power and beauty of women supporting women,” he added.

The exhibit, commissioned by Christina Johnson, the 2024 Artist in Residence for Railroad Park, represented women – their beauty, their strength, their perseverance and dedication. Johnson, a cancer survivor, said that each woman’s story in this year’s StrongHer campaign represented a part of her own soul.

The Honorees

Among the honorees was nine-year-old Milana Price, a lung cancer survivor and aspiring artist. Her pencil drawing was featured in the StrongHer art exhibit. Despite being diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of four and having half of her right lung removed, Price proved her resilience and encouraging demeanor throughout her recovery. Christina Johnson, also a cancer survivor and mother of three, gifted Price a painting representing her survival, strength, and light. “I’d like to encourage you to continue to pursue your art and everything you desire.” said Johnson.

The StrongHer Book

The StrongHer campaign also published a book in 2023, ‘StrongHer: Women Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges in Birmingham,’ which features the life stories of the honored women. Compiled by Chanda Temple, Senior Project Manager for the City of Birmingham, the narrative emphasizes that everyone has the potential to be a StrongHer. Profiles from the book will be shared each day in March at the City of Birmingham’s official government website.

“The StrongHer campaign started as an idea back in 2019 when Mayor Randall Woodfin requested to recognize women in Birmingham. We thought of the best way we can do that, and then StrongHer came to me,” said Temple. She further encouraged the residents to keep sending in their nominees, reiterating that everyone is a StrongHer.

Conclusion

The city of Birmingham is proud to honor and celebrate its women, who through their resilience, strength, and determination, are continuously making a difference in their communities and the city. The StrongHer campaign serves as a testament to the power and beauty of women supporting women, shedding light on the untold stories of numerous unsung she-roes of Birmingham.