The Strength of Character Boxing Reveals in a Woman
Saloni Sharma from Zimbabwe
Every photo is an opinion, taken from a view that is being sharpened in every picture.
My intention here was to produce a series of powerful, strong images of real women. Thanks to conversations with Bruce Silverglade, the owner of Gleason’s Gym, and the women who train there, my original intention found a home: in the strength of character that the sport of boxing brings to women.
All pictures were taken on location, in front of the Manhattan bridge, after I had asked each woman to think about what boxing means to her. The large stone blocks were chosen, colosseum-like, as a contrast to shoot against.
Jessica Young is a jazz singer born in Melbourne, Australia of Cantonese/Cambodian decent.
“At the age of 4 I started ballet 5 hours a day 5 days a week for 13 years. I compare a lot of the footwork in boxing to ballet; you need to learn to float and move with ease and grace. It then must be combined with the speed and impact of your punches and defense. It’s a very disciplined art-form. Similar to ballet, professional boxers make it appear to look swift and easy, but it certainly is not. I have been boxing for 2 years, and not only do I love the discipline that is required of boxing, but it gives me a sense of empowerment that can only come from within. The empowerment is not one of a physical nature, it’s entirely mental. I feel fit, I feel strong, I feel confident.”
Gabriella “G-Daddy” Gulfin has been boxing for four-and-a-half years and is about to turn Pro MMA and Pro Boxing. Won golden gloves in 2016. Nokia Jujitsu Panamas. ACC Strawweight Belt. Black Belt Tae Kwon Do.
“With boxing I really like the awareness of my body where my body is in space, how I distribute my weight. Especially when I box, I feel like I’m dancing and that I’m expressing myself. I’m kind of dancing with the person I’m fighting with. I love that women tend to be very technical when they fight. I pay a lot of attention to detail, when I throw punches, keeping my elbow down, and snapping my punches and chambering them quickly.”
Carolyn DiCarlo, age 59, is the architect that designed the new Gleason’s gym.
“As a woman, the gym for me is a haven. The minute I walk into the gym, I leave the stresses of the day outside on the curb. After boxing now for close to 7 years, I still get butterflies in my stomach while I’m walking in. Whether it’s to spar or just train I still get nervous. What’s empowering for me is to get to feel those feelings and know exactly what to do with them, to walk straight into the fear and show up anyway. Boxing has trained me to be brave. You really have no choice once you’re in there. In life, much like in the ring, it’s all about showing up, and as my coach Darryl always says: it’s not always about hitting, it’s about not getting hit. I apply that to my life every day.”
Fiona Beswick is a senior in high school and began boxing 3 months ago, after taking photographs at Gleason's for a school project.
“I was fascinated by the sport. It was unlike anything I had seen before. I decided to box because I wanted to see what it would be like to broaden my perspective from being someone that knew little about the mechanics of boxing, what it takes to box, and solely having the point of view of a photographer/outsider, to pushing myself to get in the ring. I can say that I have really enjoyed training especially in an environment like Gleason's that is very supportive.”
“Boxing is a male dominated sport, women's boxing is not covered (on television, or really at all) or publicized to the same extent. It challenges what is stereotypically considered feminine, as well as traditional gender roles. I think it is important for women to know that boxing is an empowering thing to do, and to support female boxing so that women feel comfortable trying the sport and are supported in their aims to become stronger. Boxing is important for physical health, and in terms of mental health it increases confidence—something I personally definitely lacked. I’m a nervous person and find it very empowering.”
Jenna Gaglioffi is No. 2 Amateur Boxer and strength and conditioning coach.
“I love working with all athletes, and I love helping people. I am a mentor to help young adults stay on the right track.” says Jenna, “When I was a little girl, my older brother would always teach me how to protect myself. Competitively, I have been boxing for a year. I want to help female boxing grow! There are so many female world champions that people don't know about, and I want them to be recognized for their greatness! Boxing is empowering. Women and men tell me that I am empowering, motivating, and inspiring. As a woman, it makes me feel amazing knowing that I can help other people just by boxing.”
Hannah Benson is currently an undergraduate senior at New York University where she studies Arabic, Middle Eastern & Islamic Studies and Creative Production. She loves being able to learn to face fear; “there is nothing scarier than having a twelve-year-old boy punch you in the face,” she says. “It makes you confident in unfamiliar situations.”
“Since I started boxing at Gleason's, I found myself a team and a coach I have built a bond with. Working alongside them makes coming back each day worth it. My physical strength has been a large part of my identity since a young age. As a woman with an identity, I do know that the physical and mental strength that I gain from boxing is an important part of me feeling like my best and truest self.”
C’Lynne O’Brian, 51, is a health industry professional and has been boxing for two years.
“This training works out entire body. It is very empowering, and you always feel great after; you can feel your self getting stronger. You walk into the gym and don’t feel intimidated. It is a very motivating environment. I’ve always trained with Bernard Peterkin, he makes all the difference. As a woman it is empowering. When you walk in [Gleason’s], there is no difference between men and women. It is not modified because you are woman. Anybody can do it.”
Selena Shannon has had two amateur fights and has been training for a year.
“I wanted to train to do stunt work at first, but now and for the last year I’ve spent training to fight” says Selena. “It teaches a lot about yourself. Gleason's is a world famous gym, so I thought that it would be a good place. As I started, I fell in love and decided to fight. You do see a lot of women who have been abused get involved in the sport—it’s definitely a pattern. But rather than be victimized, I can raise above it now. We want to see more female boxers. As a woman it has given me the ‘Yes-I-Can’ attitude. Despite the fact that women are oppressed in this society, every day I can be my own champion. You have to put your heart into it. You find out the person you are when you have no choice and when you can’t back out of the ring.”
Renee Rickenbacker is a bio chemistry student in her final year and has been boxing for eight months.
“I feel very empowered by the sport. Besides getting in shape, it’s the mental strength. You have to keep going even though you are completely exhausted. Boxing has been predominantly male, and being a woman in boxing just shows I can do it too. I’m not sure whether or not I’m going to actually fight. I chose Gleason’s because I heard Muhammad Ali trained here, and they have a legacy of champions here. You really don’t know what your body and mind are capable of until you're in the ring.”
