Through Our Lens: Photographers Reflect on Empowerment is a photography exhibition at 25CPW Gallery benefiting the Man Up Campaign, a global initiative supporting young people to stop violence against women at the community level, founded by journalist Jimmie Briggs.  The exhibit, curated by Whitney Johnson, JB Reed, Bess Greenberg and Yukiko Yamagata, will be on view from March 9-11, 2012, following a silent and live auction of the work on International Women’s Day – this Thursday, March 8th.

The exhibition includes a wide-ranging field of photographers from the worlds of fashion, documentary photography, and contemporary art. While some images resonate defiance, strength, and heroism, others highlight moments of joy, celebration, and play. In support of Man Up Campaign USA, Inc, the benefit exhibition serves to recognize that empowerment has no gender; it is not limited by form, and it is not classified by age or race.

Ticketed reception and auction with hors’ doevures, open bar and a guest DJ set by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots will take place on March 8th from 6:30pm to 11pm, to celebrate International Women’s Rights Day.  March 9-11 includes a weekend of talks and film screenings featuring author Jill Iscol and activist Christy Turlington-Burns and ManUp delegates from Guyana, Canada and Native America will present to discuss the impact they have had in their communities as ManUp Ambassadors.

©Susan Meiselas/Magnum Photos. Dee and Lisa on Mott Street, Little Italy, New York City, 1976.

©Marcus Bleasdale/VII. Fatuma Aziz 27 years old has HIV and TB, She contracted TB in 2011 and needed to come into the city for treatment. She lives with her auntie whilst she undergoes her treatment. March 12, 2011.

© Lynsey Addario/VII. A woman walks through a forest to her relative’s house in Rethung Gonpa village outside of Trashigang, in east Bhutan.

© Elinor Carucci. Sira dacing at Gypsys, party, from ‘Diary of a Dancer’, 2001-2003.

© Maggie Steber. Elly in a sea of memories, June 2007.

© Deana Lawson. Wanda and Daughters, 2009.

©Wayne Lawrence. Kye, Kaiya and Kamren, Orchard Beach, 2009.