If you seek the soul of a people,

look to its women.

For it is at their bosoms

that the seeds of love,

compassion and courage

are first planted and nurtured.

Look into their faces

and see what was

and what will be.

— “The Soul of a People,” by Jerry Taliaferro, photographer, Women of a New

Tribe Project

There is a photo exhibit at the Mia Galleries at the Miami International Airport that is a must-see for everyone in Miami-Dade County. The exhibit is called "Women of a New Tribe," and features women selected from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

Photographed by noted photographer Jerry Taliaferro, the "Women of a New Tribe" photo exhibit premiered in June of 2002 at the Afro-American Cultural Center in Charlotte, N.C. Since then, the exhibit has traveled to several cities, where local women have been photographed to include in the exhibition. The women were chosen for contributions they have made to their respective communities, and include teachers, businesswomen, wives, mothers and grandmothers.

The Mia Galleries includes the photos of women selected from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

In a press release Taliaferro said of the women he has photographed: "The exhibit has been billed as a celebration of the physical and spiritual beauty of the black American woman. Indeed, many of the subjects featured possess incredible physical beauty. Yet, many of them also possess the kind of beauty that does not result from ‘line and curve,’ or some other random confluence of physical traits. Many ... are also beautiful because of their strength, their compassion, their courage and their love."

The women in the exhibit from the Miami-Dade Aviation Department include, Miriam Adderley, Cash Management; Michelle Charles, Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs; Althea Coleman, Human Resources; Cynthia Collins, Human Resources; Tametria Harris, Concession Business Development; Sonia Bridges, Human Resources/Risk Management; Katherine James, Cash Management; Lauraine Murray, Marketing; Cynthia Manuel, Human Resources/Risk Management; and Michele Raymond, Properties Management.

Also, Margaret H. Moss, Real Estate Management; Stephanie Momplasir, Human Resources/Risk Management; Gail Seay, Human Resources; Lorraine Washington, Information Systems; Sharon Weekes, Human Resources; Gina Thomas, Facilities Management, and Bobbie Jones-Wilfork, Human Resources.

The exhibit, which now consists of more than 200 images, explore different themes, such as tribal beauty, portraiture and family relationships. Taliaferro said the title of the exhibit was inspired by hearing author Toni Morrison refer to African Americans as "New World Africans," as she was being interviewed on public radio.

According to Yolada Sanchez, director of Airport Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs, the 17 women selected for the Mia Galleries exhibit were nominated by their peers, colleagues and/or supervisors. Their inclusion was based on a strong record of service to the Aviation Department as well as community service and volunteerism.

The Mia Galleries is in the North Terminal, near Gate 26. Taliaferro and his wife Debra, lie in Charlotte.

School supplies wanted

The children at Pierre Toussaint Haitian Center are in need of backpacks, school supplies, new underwear and socks and tennis shoes of all sizes.

If you can help, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami is asking you to help outfit 150 students at the center.