Samira Habibi, a 19-year-old former student of Asian University for Women in Chittagong, Bangladesh dreams of being a photojournalist. When she had to quit her studies and return to Afghanistan, she asked me to take her on a photo walk and teach her. My local student Samiha guided us. After I emphasized empathy, ensuring we shook hands with our subjects, Samira taught Samiha. These images represent an Afghan, a Bangladeshi, and an American’s shared perspective on women striving for opportunity in the developing world. I hope our entry opens doors for Samira to achieve her dream.
I have taken photos in 74 countries, traveling as a professor of English, most recently teaching at Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, where I met a young aspiring photographer from Afghanistan named Samira Habibi. We entered the State of the World Competition together to win her exposure.
