Louis Carr Photography
Freedom Sister's Reboot presented by FORD
FORD Motor Company Fund, collaborating with the Los Angeles Chapter of the Freedom Sister’s and the National Veterans Transition Services, to address the many challenges women face as they leave the military back into civilian life. Presented a graduating class of 12 women at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in beautiful Beverly Hills California.
The Beverly Hills Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was filled with an energy of excitement and encourage as 12 brave women who have served our nation entered the room for their graduation ceremony. These 12 woman embody intelligence, bravery, courage and sheer beauty.
The 2015 Freedom Sister’s Reboot Graduating Class #71 are as follows:
Eve Estrada (US Army Veteran), Doreen Ferris (US Army Veteran), Yolanda Franklin (US Navy Veteran), Tina Hammer (US Army Veteran), Yesenia Henshall (US Army Veteran), Heathra King (US Army Veteran), Lora Pietszak (US Airforce Veteran), Pamela Richardson (US Army Veteran), Monikkachelle Santos (US Navy Veteran), Rolanda Shells (US Army Veteran), Christina Silva (US Marine Veteran), Julienne Wills (US National Guard Veteran)
Freedom’s Sisters REBOOT Workshop takes its name from Ford’s earlier support of the Freedom Sister’s traveling exhibition, which celebrated the life of women civil rights pioneers, as well as present-day women who are making a difference in their communities. Several current members of the Freedom Sisters from the Los Angeles area will serve as mentors for the women’s’ REBOOT workshop in Los Angeles.
Freedom Sister’s REBOOT workshops are free, three week course for women veterans in Los Angeles. This program is specifically designed to address the many challenges and difficulties women face when returning to the uncertain future of being a civilian.
The courses ran for three weeks on the campus of National University where the women were able to attend free classes five days a week which focused on employment and career opportunities, personal well-being, goal achievement and makeover session to establish their overall style after their careers in the military.
As a group compared to men, women veterans are less likely to be married, and are more likely to be single parents and unemployed. In addition to higher rates of homelessness, they also often face gaps in medical care for women’s health issues as they enter a veterans system geared toward treating males. These issues are expected to grow as the number of women veterans increases. Women are expected to comprise 11 percent of the veteran population by 2020, up 9 percent.
“These brave women have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom, and yet there are few programs that address their unique needs as they return to the home front and to their families,” said Pamela Alexander, director of Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund. “It’s another opportunity to say thank you, while also helping them make a successful transition.”
“We designed this program to meet the unique needs of women, and the training builds upon the participants’ military training, skills and experience,” said Maurice Wilson, co-founder, REBOOT Workshop and retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer. “The workshop addresses the professional, social and personal aspects of life, along with connections to community resources that could also be of help.”
Ford’s support of military veterans dates back more than 90 years, when Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T Fords to take disabled veterans to the 1922 national convention of the Disabled American Veterans in San Francisco. Since 1974, Ford and Ford Fund have provided more than $8 million to veterans’ organizations. Today, Ford employs more than 7,000 veterans plus hundreds of active military personnel, reservists and guardsmen.
As a photographer and activist fighting for the rights and protection for the homeless and love income individuals here in Los Angeles, it was indeed a huge honor to once again serve as the sole and official photographer for FORD Motor Company.
It’s going to take some bold out of the box thinking, backed by people who truly care about overall well-being of humanity to effectively address and create positive change that affect the lives of these women and thanks to the bold thinking of FORD, the Freedom Sister’s and Maurice Wilson the ball is now moving forward in a direction of real change for women who need it right now.
I get to cover celebrity red carpet events all the time, but when I’m able to cover red carpet events such as these, my soul leaps because I am able to see first-hand just how much new ideas and positive thinking can truly change the lives of those who need it most.
Having the honor to see the smiles on the faces of these women as they walked onto the red carpet to cheering photographers congratulating them, thanking them for the service to this country and snapping their pictures was so amazing. Then hearing some of their personal stories and accomplishments and see just how very bright the future truly is for these courageous women was incredible.
Its red carpet events such as these that remind why I love photography so much. It’s companies such as FORD and organizations such as Freedom Sister’s that remind me, encourage me, implore me to continue my work for homeless individuals, low income families and individuals living with HIV or AIDS because it is the right thing to do.
Its phenomenal women such as Pamela Alexander, Angela Polk, Lynn Quigley, Beverly White, Cheryl Hudson, Phoebe Beasley, Valerie Blackburn, Daphne Bradford, Glenda Gill, Lawanda Hawkins, Rosie Lee Hooks, Denise Pines, Jessie Sherrod and KC Tuckness who encourage and remind us of what it means to be of service to those in need.
It’s events and red carpets like these where I have the honor and distinct privilege of capturing the true celebrities, the real stars and heroes who serve this country and defend our freedoms without fail. I commend and thank these brave women for their majesty and courage.
Freedom Sister's Reboot presented by FORD
FORD Motor Company Fund, collaborating with the Los Angeles Chapter of the Freedom Sister’s and the National Veterans Transition Services, to address the many challenges women face as they leave the military back into civilian life. Presented a graduating class of 12 women at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in beautiful Beverly Hills California.
The Beverly Hills Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel was filled with an energy of excitement and encourage as 12 brave women who have served our nation entered the room for their graduation ceremony. These 12 woman embody intelligence, bravery, courage and sheer beauty.
The 2015 Freedom Sister’s Reboot Graduating Class #71 are as follows:
Eve Estrada (US Army Veteran), Doreen Ferris (US Army Veteran), Yolanda Franklin (US Navy Veteran), Tina Hammer (US Army Veteran), Yesenia Henshall (US Army Veteran), Heathra King (US Army Veteran), Lora Pietszak (US Airforce Veteran), Pamela Richardson (US Army Veteran), Monikkachelle Santos (US Navy Veteran), Rolanda Shells (US Army Veteran), Christina Silva (US Marine Veteran), Julienne Wills (US National Guard Veteran)
Freedom’s Sisters REBOOT Workshop takes its name from Ford’s earlier support of the Freedom Sister’s traveling exhibition, which celebrated the life of women civil rights pioneers, as well as present-day women who are making a difference in their communities. Several current members of the Freedom Sisters from the Los Angeles area will serve as mentors for the women’s’ REBOOT workshop in Los Angeles.
Freedom Sister’s REBOOT workshops are free, three week course for women veterans in Los Angeles. This program is specifically designed to address the many challenges and difficulties women face when returning to the uncertain future of being a civilian.
The courses ran for three weeks on the campus of National University where the women were able to attend free classes five days a week which focused on employment and career opportunities, personal well-being, goal achievement and makeover session to establish their overall style after their careers in the military.
As a group compared to men, women veterans are less likely to be married, and are more likely to be single parents and unemployed. In addition to higher rates of homelessness, they also often face gaps in medical care for women’s health issues as they enter a veterans system geared toward treating males. These issues are expected to grow as the number of women veterans increases. Women are expected to comprise 11 percent of the veteran population by 2020, up 9 percent.
“These brave women have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom, and yet there are few programs that address their unique needs as they return to the home front and to their families,” said Pamela Alexander, director of Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund. “It’s another opportunity to say thank you, while also helping them make a successful transition.”
“We designed this program to meet the unique needs of women, and the training builds upon the participants’ military training, skills and experience,” said Maurice Wilson, co-founder, REBOOT Workshop and retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer. “The workshop addresses the professional, social and personal aspects of life, along with connections to community resources that could also be of help.”
Ford’s support of military veterans dates back more than 90 years, when Henry Ford organized a cross-country caravan of 50 Model T Fords to take disabled veterans to the 1922 national convention of the Disabled American Veterans in San Francisco. Since 1974, Ford and Ford Fund have provided more than $8 million to veterans’ organizations. Today, Ford employs more than 7,000 veterans plus hundreds of active military personnel, reservists and guardsmen.
As a photographer and activist fighting for the rights and protection for the homeless and love income individuals here in Los Angeles, it was indeed a huge honor to once again serve as the sole and official photographer for FORD Motor Company.
It’s going to take some bold out of the box thinking, backed by people who truly care about overall well-being of humanity to effectively address and create positive change that affect the lives of these women and thanks to the bold thinking of FORD, the Freedom Sister’s and Maurice Wilson the ball is now moving forward in a direction of real change for women who need it right now.
I get to cover celebrity red carpet events all the time, but when I’m able to cover red carpet events such as these, my soul leaps because I am able to see first-hand just how much new ideas and positive thinking can truly change the lives of those who need it most.
Having the honor to see the smiles on the faces of these women as they walked onto the red carpet to cheering photographers congratulating them, thanking them for the service to this country and snapping their pictures was so amazing. Then hearing some of their personal stories and accomplishments and see just how very bright the future truly is for these courageous women was incredible.
Its red carpet events such as these that remind why I love photography so much. It’s companies such as FORD and organizations such as Freedom Sister’s that remind me, encourage me, implore me to continue my work for homeless individuals, low income families and individuals living with HIV or AIDS because it is the right thing to do.
Its phenomenal women such as Pamela Alexander, Angela Polk, Lynn Quigley, Beverly White, Cheryl Hudson, Phoebe Beasley, Valerie Blackburn, Daphne Bradford, Glenda Gill, Lawanda Hawkins, Rosie Lee Hooks, Denise Pines, Jessie Sherrod and KC Tuckness who encourage and remind us of what it means to be of service to those in need.
It’s events and red carpets like these where I have the honor and distinct privilege of capturing the true celebrities, the real stars and heroes who serve this country and defend our freedoms without fail. I commend and thank these brave women for their majesty and courage.