Download - Oakwood Exhibition Photos
Oakwood School, North Hollywood, CA
in partnership with
Maryam School, Kabul, AfghanistanMother –Daughter Photo Exhibition
Global Citizens in ActionMay 2, 2013
Oakwood Mother-Daughter Photos
Letters from Maryam Students
Photos from Maryam Students
Mothers and Daughters from
Oakwood and Maryam Schools shared their photos and answered
prompts on the following topics:
1. Our Relationship
2. Support
3. Similarities and Differences (Do you want your life to be
the same as or different from your mother’s?)
our relationship]
Arley Knizek: I would define the relationship
between my mother and me as very loving and
supportive. Our relationship is also very
humorous and fun loving.
Mom: Very close. Mostly loving, fun, supportive
and playful. Sometimes stressful. We butt heads
occasionally but it's because we are so alike.
Nothing gives me more pleasure than my
daughters, and they give me the most joy in life.
[support]
Arley: The support I receive from my mother
consists of enthusiasm, encouragement and
valuable advice. In any academic, social or
communal endeavor I begin to pursue, she is
always there by my side helping me when I need
it but giving me enough room to be independent
and make my own decisions. The support I
receive from my mother is so valuable, for she
not only reassures me to take on things that I
have doubts about, but she pushes me to finish
things that I start in order to accomplish my goals.
Mom: I try to support Arley in everything that she
does even if it does mean redirecting her path
slightly. I do so from a loving place. I give both
emotional and physical support sometimes by
just being present. It's important for me to pass
on the traditions of home as well as a good work ethic.
[differences and similarities]
I expect to lead a life that is different than my
mother’s in terms of career choices, but I really
look up to the morals she values, and strive to
live a life similar to hers in the way she
approaches things. She takes on tasks with such
optimism and perseverance. I hope to be able to
live a determined life like she does and pursue
my passions just like her. Even if I don't end up
as an interior designer like her, I hope to possess
her creative energy and initiative.
Arley & Mom
[our relationship]Mursal: My mom is really happy from me and I am too. This is what makes
our relationship good and happy.
Zainab (Mother): My relationship with my
daughter is great. We always share many things together, and respect each
other’s good activities.[support]
Mursal: My mother supports me financially and morally. She appreciates my talents and abilities.
[similarities and differences]
Mursal: I want to lead a different life because when my mom was young there was not a developed and
modernized life.
Mursal & Mom
[our relationship]
Lily Harris: I feel my mom and I are very close.
There are certain things I choose to keep to myself,
but as a whole I feel my mother’s experiences are
extremely helpful as advice for how I will choose to
live my life. Even though we sometimes fight, I
really love my mom and enjoy spending time with
her, especially just talking with her or being silly or
watching bad TV together.
(Mom): There's nothing like the mother-daughter
relationship. Lily and I are alike in many ways yet
also very different in many ways and I think this
actually makes us closer. We laugh together, take
walks together, watch our favorite shows together
and have great conversations. One of the things I
value most about our relationship is honesty. We
may not always agree but I feel like we can talk
and figure things out together. Our relationship is
caring and loving, and I adore and respect Lily as a
person and daughter.
[support]
I can honestly say that my mom is always around
when no one else is. No matter what she may be
doing, if I need her she will always put it on pause
to help me. My mom helps me both emotionally
and physically when I need support. There’s
nothing like her advice or her warm chicken soup
as a cold remedy.
[differences and similarities]
I think my life will be pretty similar to my mother’s.
Hopefully, as the times are changing the ideals of
mothers having to take the lead in the home will
change, but as far as her independence and
passion for her work goes, I hope that I lead a life
similar to my mother’s and am as good a mother
as she is to me.
Lily & Mom
[our relationship]
Izzie Levinson: My mom and I have a pretty
unique relationship, largely because we—like
everyone around us—have always
acknowledged just how similar we are. My
mom and I are both quick to smile and laugh,
often lost in our own imaginations and dream
worlds but paying careful attention to those
around us nonetheless. We're both romantics
about education and literature, both fiercely
devoted to those we love and entirely
unimpressed by material possessions. When
my mom and I are together, we are constantly
talking, laughing, and making silly jokes. Some
teens may be embarrassed to have inside jokes
with their mothers, and to that I say... uh...
[support]
Izzie: In the scope of the relationship between
myself and my mom, my mom is a fantastic
source of support when it comes to reminding
me about the simpler things in life. A big
distinguisher between my mom and I is that
she is often able to pick out one or two
important things in a given situation and really
focus in on them. She is entirely unable to
multitask, and can only complete one task at a
time, while I try to do as much as I possibly can
at the same time (for example, I am currently
trying to bake, listen to music, carry on a
conversation with my dad, write an e-mail, AND
plan Artribe). When I get overwhelmed by all
of the stuff going on in my life, my mom is
there to remind me where to focus and where to let go.
[differences and similarities]Izzie: Until I was in eighth grade, my mom
worked as a TV writer in Hollywood. She hated her job with a passion, frustrated every day that she had to sell out her creative voice in order to appease the nebulous "audience" that she cared not at all about. Then, when I was fourteen, she
became a public school teacher at a school in South Central. At that point and ever since, my mom has fully embraced (what she refers to as)
the "hippie" side of herself, constantly encouraging freedom of expression, creativity,
and intellectual pursuit and constantly discouraged by the highly ineffective education system existing within the United States— more
specifically, California, and even more specifically, Los Angeles. I don't think I will ever
become a high school teacher, but I think my mom's devotion to activism and her fundamental
beliefs that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity is something that I, too, will fight for in my life. I think that I will grow up to become an activist working to give a voice to those who do not have them. I hope to do something as important and meaningful with my life as my
mom has done with hers.
Izzie & Mom
[our relationship]Sahra: I have a great
relationship with my mother and it causes me to have a
successful life, being with and deciding with my mother on
everything. Mother: I love my daughter
and always I am worried about her future. [support]
Sahra: My mother appreciates my choice in everything and supports my choice and me.
When I like clothes she respects my choice and
supports me.[similarities and
differences]Sahra: Yes, I want to lead my life similar to my mother’s life.
Sahra & Mom
[our relationship]
Maddie Schiff: I have always felt very
comfortable talking openly with my mom. I think
that’s a good indication of the kind of relationship
we have. She’s always there for me and I feel like
I don’t need to hide anything from her because I
know we have a very trusting friendship.
Mom: I think that we have a very unique and
personal bond. I feel like we have some striking
similarities that make us really understand each
other. We can laugh together at the same things,
we can spend time together like friends, and we
can talk about serious stuff as well as silly stuff.
[support]
Maddie: I get all kinds of support from my mama!
Not only does she provide me with essentials like
food and clothes and a home but she supports
me emotionally. Whenever I’ve had a sad day the
only person who I know will really understand is
my mom. I can also always count on her for a laugh.
Mom: I feel that I support you in your beliefs and
your convictions about people and your
surroundings. Whenever something bothers you,
I always support you. I never doubt you. I
support your various interests and I encourage
you to do your personal best.
[differences and similarities]
I hope I will get to live a life similar to my mom’s.
She successfully runs her own business, has lots
of amazing friends, and manages to hold our
entire family together. I hope one day I can have
a family of my own and also be successful in the
business world, just like my mama!
Maddie & Mom
[our relationship]
Olivia: That's hard to define. I don't consider her
my best friend, but a strong confidante. I don't
view her as a complete authority, but I try to
follow her rules. Ultimately, I see our relationship
as an unbreakable bond because as of now I have
unconditional love for my mom. we disagree
constantly, but what does the mean? Nothing.
She provides me with so much support and love,
and for that I have a great amount of respect for
my mother and the relationship we share.
Mom: I view my relationship with Olivia as a
relationship in which communication is free.
Although I’m sure I don’t know everything about
Olivia and her personal life, I do feel that I “know”
her. I guide her, teach her, and hopefully inspire
her. She certainly inspires me through her “go for
it” approach to life.
[support]
Olivia: I see my mother as a support system.
While she cannot help me with most school-
related conflicts involving math, science, etc., she
helps me in more important ways. When I can't
explain why I am sad, when I am incredibly
stressed, or when I need moral advice, my mom is
there to provide an answer. It may not be the
right one, but knowing that she listens to me
makes me feel supported.
Mom: I support Olivia by letting her make
decisions for herself (not on everything, but on
many issues that come up) and trusting her ability
to make the right choices… and this is because
Olivia has earned this privilege. This supports
Olivia as an individual to be true to who she is.
[differences and similarities]Career-wise, completely different: I don't
want to work in fashion. However, my mom plays a dual role as both parent and a full-time worker, which I admire. I want
to be able to play both parts as well. Also, my mom focuses on her mental well-being by being a yogi. Although I
hate yoga, I want to experience life paying attention to my emotions, not
ignoring them to make life easier. However, the idea of my future is
constantly changing.
Olivia & Mom
[our relationship]
Mom: I think we have mutual respect for each
other and trust, which I think is very important.
We love each other deeply. I think that we are
like any other mother- daughter relationship of a
17-year-old, meaning that we have the normal
"you hate me" and pushing me away but I
understand that – it’s a part of growing up.
We genuinely like each other.
Phoebe Tohl: I know my mom is going to be there
to support me in any situation, no matter what I
have done. I view my relationship with my mom
as particularly unique, compared to the
relationships I see between my friends and their
moms. On rare occasions I get sick of my mom,
but most of the time I enjoy her company. We
both support each other when we need the extra
comforting, and at the end of the day it is her
arms that I go to when I need that extra love.
[support]
Mom: I support your desire to fulfill your dreams,
I support you whether you succeed or fail, in good
and bad. I still love you even when you think I
am the worst person in the world. But most
importantly I will support you with unconditional love.
Phoebe: Besides the obvious financial support I
receive from my mom I also am given
unconditional love and support. Sometimes our
opinions of support mean different things, but at
the end of the day I know I can rely on my mother
to support me in whatever I need.
[differences and similarities]The person I am today has a lot to do with the way my
mom raised me. My mom has taught me the pleasures of traveling, which has really impacted my life and the way that I look at things. Because of her
enthusiasm about the world I have been given amazing opportunities to be immersed in different
cultures. When it comes to the smaller things, at the moment I don’t really have any specifics, and of
course I am going to want to live them differently. But because she raised me she will always have an
influence on the way that I live my life.
Phoebe & Mom
[our relationship]Shamsia: We have a friendly
relationship. I respect my mom and it makes me feel good.
Pashtun (Mother): I have a lovely relationship with my daughter. She
understands me well. When she has a problem she will share that with me so that we can solve it
together. [support]
Shamsia: My mom is the only one who supports me in each aspect of my life. She encourages me to do good things. She supports me in
my daily life and also in my school studies.
[differences and similarities]Shamsia: I want to lead my life differently from my mom’s life,
because my mom has gone through many difficulties. I want
to have a different life.
Shamsia & Mom
[our relationship]
Rachel Rogers: Our relationship is somewhat close,
and I feel that I can tell my mom as much as I can
tell my closest friends. She trusts me and knows
that I make good decisions and is always there to
talk and listen and give me a hug when I know I've
made a mistake. I know she will always forgive me
for everything.
Mom: Our relationship is a rather close one, where
we can talk about anything. We learn from each
other; I learn new things about myself and about
the world around me while trying to teach my daughter.
[support]
Rachel: My mom supports me in school, and that is
extremely visible when she is understanding of a
bad grade or even a bad day. She also supports
me emotionally. I know a lot of people who can't
talk to their mothers the same way I can talk to mine.
Mom: Daughters receive emotional and financial
support in addition to receiving advice from
mothers. Mothers can serve as someone that will
simply listen to a daughter and help with decisions,
big or small.
[differences and similarities]
In some sense, I hope to live a completely different
life than mymother in terms of occupation. My
mother is a lawyer, and I hope to work as a
biomedical engineer at a pharmaceutical company.
However, I would love to have a family and I would
be honored to have the patience and compassion
that my mother has. Although I don't want to
follow in her footsteps in the way I make my living,
I hope to be exactly like my mother. She inspires
me to be a better person every day.
Rachel & Mom
[our relationship]
Rosie Kurth: I am beyond lucky to have such a
strong relationship with my mom. I think what's
so special about our relationship is that we
genuinely enjoy each other’s company and
sometimes, admittedly yet shamelessly, I'd much
rather hang out with my mom than with my
friends. She is my role model, my confidante,
and my best friend, and I can't imagine my life
without her.
Mom: Rosie and I have a very strong relationship.
I am a firm believer in treating your children like
human beings with their own thoughts, feelings,
and morals. If I nurture who she feels she is and
guide her when she is confused, it will just help
her to be the strongest person she can be.
Because of that, we have a relationship based in
trust, honesty, and mutual respect. If I can spend
my time with anyone on this planet I would
choose my daughter because I really love who
she is and value the woman she is becoming.
She also makes me laugh!!
[support]
Rosie: In any difficult situation she's the first
person I go to, and her advice always encourages
me to stand up for myself and be honest. She
constantly reminds me that now is the time when
I choose how I will let others treat me, and it's so
unbelievably special to have that kind of
information this early in my life.
[differences and similarities]Rosie: I expect my life to be very
different from my mother’s. My mother's mother left my mom when she was two years old and was a terrible influence on her throughout her whole life. I think my
mom is such a phenomenal mother because of the lack of a mother figure
she had. She wanted to be for me what she could never have. So with her
wonderful influence to guide me through the beginning of my life, I will have a lot more of the support that my mother had
to find on her own.
Rosie & Mom
[our relationship]
Mom: I view our relationship as very close and
loving. We really do jive. I love Kirsten to pieces
but, you know... let's just say Ryanna and I are
very connected.
Ryanna Fossum: I think we have a great
relationship. It can get kind of tough because we
are so similar. That causes us to butt heads on the
regular but it also helps us understand each other.
[support]
Ryanna: My mom's always been there for me. She
puts up with the crazy shenanigans I pull. She has
patience and does everything with love and
kindness. Whenever either one of us goes through
something major, we turn to each other. She's just
a really neat gal.
Mom: I think it's important to try and be attentive
as much as possible. We work as a team. And I
make her a snack every night.
[differences and similarities]
I want to live a life completely my own. My mom
has had a really strange and wonderful life so far
but you gotta find your own path in this world, kids.
I feel really blessed because I not only love my
mom but I also really like her. She's the coolest cat
in town. Actually, though. (mom prom 2013)
Ryanna & Mom
[our relationship]Zuhal: We have a friendly
relationship and that is why I can freely share my problems. I
respect my mom and she respects my feelings and me too. I never feel alone because she is always
with me.Mahboba (Mother): I always
appreciate my daughter’s feelings and abilities. Really.
[support]
Zuhal: My mother encourages me to have confidence and this is what
makes me to be strong.
[differences and similarities]Zuhal: I want to lead a life similar to my mom’s because it will make my children strong and never feel
down and alone.
Zuhal & Mom
[our relationship]
Mom: We're very close. We can talk about pretty
much anything, but we still have good boundaries
- meaning that I won't infringe on my daughter’s
personal life. We have a respectful relationship
and we value one another. We enjoy being with
one another, and I think that I honor my daughter
as a person.
Sophie Tohl: I see my mom not only as my
mother, but as a friend. I tell her everything and
she does the same, and this creates a relationship
where we both depend on each other - not just the
daughter relying on her mother. I love that my
mom can trust me just as I trust her. I think we
both value the relationship we have together, and
are lucky to be so incredibly close.
[support]
My mom gives me every possible form of support.
She advises me in any difficult decision, she
supports me with that decision, she supports me
emotionally, and supports me by being the
wonderful role model she is. My mom has been
the root of support in my family, and I will always
appreciate her for that.
[differences and similarities]
I expect to lead a fairly different life from my
mother. My mom always tells me how different
my life growing up was compared to hers. I know
career-wise my life will be different from my
mom's, and so far the experiences I've had are
much different from my mother’s. My mom has
provided me with experiences that weren't
available to her, but she's never expressed an
unhappiness with that. She's says that's what
gives her happiness. I know that the life I will lead
will be different from my mother’s, but I hope to
have the same appreciation as my mom.
Sophie & Mom
[our relationship]
Sara Schiff: My mom and I have a mostly
wonderful relationship. She listens to my
stories about friends and school, supports my
dreams and goals, but also accepts the brunt
of my stress and frustrations. She may drive
me crazy at times, but that's okay!
Mom: I'm lucky to have a caring, thoughtful,
talented and intelligent daughter. I am proud
of her accomplishments and am grateful that
she talks to me about her friends, school,
dreams and goals. I know there is a lot that
she keeps to herself, but that's okay too.
[support]
Mothers provide their daughters with
unconditional support and love. They serve
as role models for what their daughters may
aspire to be, as well as examples of what
paths might not be best to take. Mothers
want the best for their daughters, but the
best mothers let their daughters be whoever
they want to be.
[differences and similarities]
I may take a different educational or career
path than my mother, but at the core, I
expect that our lives will not end up being
significantly different. We will both have
families that we value, friends that we cherish
and a career that is fulfilling.
Sara & Mom
[our relationship]
Fiona Doherty: I love my mom! Our relationship
is great — apart from the occasional spat, we get
on pretty well. I tell my mom everything, and she
gives me the best advice. If I can't make my
mind up about something or am very confused or
stressed out in any way, she's the first person I go
to, and she always helps me. She always makes
me tea or food, because who doesn't like an
endless supply of tea and food, I ask you? My
favorite is when we cuddle, because when we do I
feel like the world is right. I'm so thankful for my
mother: for her advice, her hugs, her food, and
mostly for the fact that she'll always love me, no
matter what crazy shenanigans I get myself into.
The thing I admire most about my mother is how
grounded she is. To me it seems like she knows
exactly who she is, and as someone who can
sometimes be very confused about finding myself
out, I think that's really amazing. So if I can ever
become as solid and stable a figure as my mom,
I'd be happy to live like her.
Mom: I think so much of our relationship is about
friendship: about working to understand others
and ourselves and treating others and each other
and ourselves with kindness (and sometimes with
awe) and working to repair the damage when we
don't succeed. It's also about pushing ourselves
to do well at whatever it is we choose to do –
pushing ourselves without harshness, propelling
ourselves forward with high standards but with
tenderness as well, and motivated by joy, delight,
and care. We work at this and talk about these
things all the time. Because of Fiona I am
constantly learning, constantly growing.
Nilab: I never hide anything from my mom and she is aware of all my works. It makes our
relationship good.Zainab (Mother): I am happy with the way my
daughter is because it gives me the feeling that in addition to being a mom I am a good friend of
hers.Nilab: My mother provides me whatever I need and she tries her best to keep me happy in life.
Nilab: Yes, I want to lead a similar life as my mom.
Patuny: My mom knows all my secrets and we are like friends.
Mother: I am lucky to have a daughter like Patuny. She is so open minded and close to me.
Patuny: My mom Supports me in my studies and all steps in my life.
Patuny: I want to lead my live different from my mom. I want to study and become a doctor and
have a different life.
Nazanin: I have a happy life with my mom, with
so many good memories.Mother: I appreciate my daughter’s being in my
life.Nazanin: My mother supports me whenever I
take a big decision in my life, and it makes me successful.
Nazanin: Yes, I want to lead a similar life as my mom has.
Fiona & Mom
Patuny & Mom
Nizanin & Mom
Nilab & Mom
[our relationship]
Helen Yenser: The love I feel for my mother is
overwhelming. I never laugh harder than when
I am with her. Love her to the moon and back.
Mom: Helen is a better part of me.
[support]
Mom: Food, shelter, and brisket.
Helen: Ditto!
[differences and similarities]
Helen: I hope to have a daughter who I have as
good a relationship with. I hope to provide her,
too, with food, shelter, brisket, and lots of laughs!
Yalda: In general, I have a friendly relationship with my mom. She is not
only my mom but acts as my friend and sister too.
Rabia (Mother): In all the situations we are with each other and we understand each other’s sadness and happiness.
Yalda: My mom encourages me to study. She helps me in my school lessons.
Yalda: I want to lead a similar life to what my mom has.
Alia: we have a friendly relationship, which is really tight and close.
Hafiza (Mother): it feels great when I listen to my daughter at the time when she needs me.
Aliza: My mother supports me to do good things. She is my big support whenever I need
her.Aliza: I want to lead my life the same as my
mother because she is a hardworking and kind woman not only in her house but also in her job
and society.
Nilofar: My mother always thinks of providing me whatever I need. And she
always helps me in my life.Nor Zia (Mother): I want to try my best to
help my daughter and to not leave her alone .
Nilofar: My mother keeps me from the things which make me sad. She always gives
advice and guides me to do good things.Nilofar: Yes, I want to lead a similar life as
my mom.Muhajira: I have a good and friendly
relationship with my mom. I go shopping with her and I enjoy my life with her.
Marzia (Mother): My life is so beautiful with my daughter.
Muhajira: My mother supports me in every good thing that I do in my life.
Muhajira: I want to live different from my mom.
Yalda & Mom
Helen & Mom Alia & Mom
Muhaijira & Mom
Nilofar & Mom
Claire & Mom
Ora & Mom
Yasamin & Mom