Melanie Randisi

From the Series ''Women of New York''

After Opening Night Gratitude: ''Dear women of New York, Today, I woke up a little taller and my heart grew a couple inches, after such an amazing night. You were all incredibly elegant, beautiful, strong, powerful, creative, successful, electric (the list is endless), and I am so proud and honored to have been considered to walk alongside all of your beauty. There is not enough gratitude and pride in the world to thank the star of this moment, la belle Marlene, who gave us brilliant light through her compassion, talent, creativity and grace. So I thank her from the bottom of my heart and I thank all of you women for sharing your stories and for inspiring me to keep pushing forward. 

With love, Melanie''  

In loving memory of my mother

1924-2016

Today is the end of the ''Women of New York'' UN Exhibition.  It is worth remembering that eight years ago, I arrived in New York with my clothes and barely enough money to pay for rent.  I was leaving an abusive marriage to start a new life at 54 years old.  Eight years later, I celebrate this new life that I built with the same strength that my mother had raising a big family in a very difficult environment.  I also celebrate women empowerment for it is with the help of my women friends that I was able to start a new life.  Since then, I have met some exceptional women along the way, a network of friends that so enriched my life.  

http://www.lavocedinewyork.com/en/un/2017/03/08/women-of-new-york-women-of-the-world/

Yellow Orchid

International Women's Day: ''One is not born a woman, but becomes one.'' Simone de Beauvoir

Candide Langevin 1924-2016

In Memory of My Mother

''You don't have to be famous to make a difference, women with strong human values contribute to make this world a better place...'' Marlene Luce Tremblay

Soraya, Algeria-France

  From the series Women of New York

In her words, to be a woman: ''In New York, they don't look at your colour, race or origin. They just ask about who you are.''

Soraya Hamiani, Algeria-France

Amel - Tunisia-France

  

From the series Women of New York 

In her own words, to be a woman in New York: ''Women are very strong, we are kind of bulldozers. We're educated, we move, we can cross mountains. From all over the world, these women who come to this city to achieve what they wanted.'' Amel Bennys, Tunisia-France