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About The Book

“A beautiful book that provides genuine encouragement and inspiration. Vivid portrait photography and accompanying essays declare that all work is women's work.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In this stunning collection, award-winning photographer Chris Crisman documents the women who pioneered work in fields that have long been considered the provinces of men—with accompanying interviews on how these inspiring women have always paved their own ways.

Today, young girls are told they can do—and be—anything they want when they grow up. Yet the unique challenges that women face in the workplace, whether in the boardroom or the barnyard, have never been more publicly discussed and scrutinized. With Women’s Work, Crisman pairs his award-winning, striking portrait photography of women on the job with poignant, powerful interviews of his subjects: women who have carved out unique places for themselves in a workforce often dominated by men, and often dominated by men who have told them no. Through their stories, we see not only the ins and outs of their daily work, but the emotional and physical labors of the jobs they love. Women’s Work is a necessary snapshot of how far we’ve come and where we’re heading next—their stories are an inspiration as well as a call to action for future generations of women at work.

Women’s Work features more than sixty beautiful photographs, including Alison Goldblum, contractor; Anna Valer Clark, ranch owner; Ayah Bdeir, CEO of littleBits; Beth Beverly, taxidermist; Carla Hall, blacksmith; Cherise Van Hooser, funeral director; Jordan Ainsworth, gold miner; Magen Lowe, correctional officer; Mindy Gabriel, firefighter; Nancy Poli, pig farmer; Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne, Founders of Georgetown Cupcake; Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential biographer; Sophi Davis, cowgirl; Abingdon Welch, pilot; Christy Wilhelmi, beekeeper; Connie Chang, chemical engineer; Danielle Perez, comedienne; Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo; Lisa Calvo, oyster farmer; Mia Anstine, outdoor guide; Meejin Yoon, architect; Yoky Matsuoka, a tech VP at Google; and many more.

About The Author

Chris Crisman

Chris Crisman is an award-winning photographer specializing in lifestyle and portraiture imagery. Some of his notable subjects include Sigourney Weaver, Jane Goodall, Al Gore, and Richard Branson. His commercial clients include Panasonic, FedEx, ExxonMobil, Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, Wells Fargo, Coca-Cola, Interscope, Warner Bros., and Allstate to name a few. He is based near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he is the author of Women’s Work

Why We Love It

Women’s Work tells an urgent story about how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go—where gender equality in the workplace is concerned; it’s a moving snapshot of the bountiful possibilities that unfold for young women when they are told, simply: yes, you can be anything you want to be.” —Zack K., Associate Editor, on Women’s Work

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster (March 3, 2020)
  • Length: 256 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781982110406

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Raves and Reviews

PRAISE FOR WOMEN'S WORK

"Women’s Work: Stories from Pioneering Women Shaping Our Workforce is captivating and inspiring. The photography, by Chris Crisman, will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book, a hardcover that should be given to every woman in your family, regardless of age, career, or ability.”—FORBES

"A beautiful book that provides genuine encouragement and inspiration. Vivid portrait photography and accompanying essays declare that all work is women's work. Every picture tells a story, and these photos alone, many of them full page or two-page spreads, show women fighting fires, dealing with prisoners, flying planes, taming horses, mining gold, farming oysters, writing, teaching, coaching basketball, and baking—among dozens of other professions. In addition to bakers, the book includes a butcher, a blacksmith, a firearms and archery instructor, a beekeeper and urban gardener, and a vice president of Google. Many of them are immigrants or minorities; some of them find themselves in fields where there is no family background or female mentorship. The personal testimonies are inspirational throughout, and the photos embody the same spirit."—KIRKUS REVIEWS, STARRED REVIEW

"...[It's] important for women and young girls to be able to see themselves in jobs that society has deemed unfit for them. Photographer Chris Crisman’s new book aims to help with that goal. Women’s Work is a collection of portraits featuring women who work in male-dominated fields. From scientists and gold miners to C-suite executives and lobster fisherman (yes, they still use “fisherman”), Crisman captures a stunning array of pioneering women, accompanied by touching essays detailing their ambitions and struggles."—FAST COMPANY

"[A] marvelous collection...Award-winning photographer Chris Crisman documents women who pioneered work in fields that have long been considered the provinces of men—with accompanying interviews about how these women paved their own way."—FORTUNE

"What does it mean to be a woman in a male-dominated field? Photographer Chrisman asked over 50 women who are quietly breaking barriers...Readers of every gender will find something inspiring in these diverse, interesting stories. Teens will be inspired by the diverse career paths represented, and perhaps comforted by the circuitous route many of the subjects took."—BOOKLIST

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