LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two artists in Lexington are honoring Vice President Kamala Harris by putting together a piece representing women of color in leadership positions in the Lexington area. 

Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova, professors at Transylvania University, have worked together over the past few months putting together a series of photographs and stories from women of color that are in leadership positions. 

“We wanted to create the series also to celebrate Kamala Harris, as our Vice President, but also to celebrate and to honor Lexington based women of color who are also leaders, it’s an amazing thing,” Todorova said.

Gohde says during the last few months they have learned the stories of many women, including what they’ve had to overcome to get in the leadership positions they are in now.

“Things that I hope that they remember from reading the stories, not only looking at the pictures, is that often the women are leaders in many, many ways,” Gohde said.

Originally the series started with only 46 women, but quickly grew faster and expanded to 56 total leaders. Todorova says each woman that was photographed would always support and refer other women leaders that they could photograph next.

“In terms of representation, in terms of acknowledging all the things that women of color are capable of achieving in our society throughout history, including fighting for civil rights. That impacts all of us and not just people of color. That is just amazing,” Todorova said.

They hope their artwork and photos encourage Kentuckians to reach out and support the women of color in leadership positions within their local organizations.

“I realize, we have an amazing community with so many women of color who lead. And I really hope that white folks in our city will become aware of that. So next time you're looking for someone who makes cookies and sells them outside of our home or prepares meals. For whatever reason, if we want to support people of color in our community there are so many to be supported,” Todorova said.

The Lexington Women of Color: In Honor of VP Kamala Harris is a series within their Lexington In The Time Of COVID-19.