Breaking News
Community

North Bend resident co-authors book about women empowerment

By KEVIN RAUCH For The Express 2 min read
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS A new book about the positivity of women being comfortable just the way they are has been released and was celebrated recently at the Renovo Area Public Library with some of the women featured. Pictured, from left, are Layla Anthony, Cynthia Harkinson, photographer, Donna Kshir, co-author, Cynthia Probst and Brittany Nelen. Missing from the photo are Lee Roberts, co-author, Laurie Ann Smith, Denise Maris, Michelle Whitney and Katrina Caitlin.

NORTH BEND -- North Bend author Donna Kshir has issued a new photobook. Kshir was inspired by women that have left a lasting impression on her as they conquered hardships in their lives and continue to thrive as they move onward. The book was co-authored by Lee Roberts.

"You Are Enough" is a photobook of nine women who have faced adversity in their lifetime and have overcome it. They defeated issues with self-esteem, anxiety, depression, mental health, infertility, illness, crisis, disabilities and body image to become independent, stronger and more confident women.

"Society and social networking platforms show us beautiful photographs of what we should look like and what we could look like if we use the right products, followed the right diet and exercise daily," Kshir explained. "They tell us that we, too, could be supermodels and be worthy of love, acceptance and value. But even by following a vigorous routine we somehow still fall short."

"Due to issues such as low self-esteem, lack of confidence in ourselves and poor body image, we are made to feel unworthy and unloved when, in fact, the image they are selling us is unrealistic without proper lighting, filters, photoshopping and excess plastic surgery," Kshir continued.

"In this book, each woman shares their story, along with raw, unedited photographs taken by the photographer and the owner of CJ Photography, Cynthia Harkinson. They have chosen to tell their story and use unedited photographs to show they are beautiful and they are enough. Just as they are in true form without society's interpretation of what they should be through photoshopping and filters. Each of these women knows they are enough just as they are and you, too, are enough, just as you are," Kshir sums up confidently.

The women and their families featured in the book were given a copy recently at the Renovo Area Public Library in an evening that celebrated their accomplishments. Kshir and the women featured in the book will have a book signing at the Ross Library on Nov. 29.

Starting at /week.