EmpowHER: A Ripple through Generations at YWhisper Gala 2025

March 2025

"EmpowHER: A Ripple Through Generations" 

3' x 4' created for YW Calgary with attendees at the YWhisper Gala March 2025 Mixed Media on Canvas.

Inspired by the stories shared with me and the powerful mission of YW Calgary over the past 100+ years, 

this piece embodies the intersectionality of experiences that shape the fight for equity, justice, and safety for all women. 

This painting reflects the collective strength, resilience, and empowerment of women; past, present, and future.

Triangles and ripples form the foundation of this piece. They represent the strength that emerges when we stand together. 

When adversity is met with support and kindness, our collective strength and courage multiply. 

The ripples in the background symbolize movement and transformation as we ebb and flow. 

Every act of empowerment, no matter how small, creates waves that reach far beyond what we can see, for this legacy will be felt and lived by for generations.

Even in our most challenging moments, when doubt lingers and the weight of the world feels heavy, we are reminded that resilience is not just an individual pursuit; it is a shared force. 

One ripple, one action, one voice can grow into a powerful wave of change.

At the heart of the composition are 50 Sampaguita flowers, a tribute to my Mom’s journey of immigration from the Philippines to Canada 50 years ago. 

Her choice, like so many women before and after her, created a ripple effect; one that continues to transcend time and generations. 

It serves as a reminder that those who came before us laid the foundation for empowerment, unity, and strength. 

The challenges we have faced have shaped us; not as limitations, but as stepping stones to have resiliency, courage, and leadership. 

In adversity, we found strength and determination. Each of us in this room carries a story of perseverance, a testament to the audacity it takes to rise, to lead, and to empower others. 

Together, we are not just overcoming obstacles; we are redefining what is possible.

This painting is more than just a piece of art;it is a visual call to action.

It speaks to the ongoing need for sustainable advocacy, collective empowerment, and the courage to hold space for each other’s growth and journeys, even when the path is difficult.

"Together, we can create beautiful things. Together, we are the ripple that can make big waves." -Krystelle Celestino Wurtz 

My favourite part of creating legacy paintings is inviting the community to collaborate and add their fingerprints and personal stories to the feeling of the painting.