About Wo(men) Mind the Water

The aim of Wo(men) Mind the Water is to share stories and art that raise awareness of the connection between humans and water, reflect upon the ways humans engage with and share responsibility for the ocean. We recognize the value of all humans and our mutual responsibility for our planet. While we focus heavily on women’s voices and work because, all too often, women go unrecognized, underappreciated, or spoken over, we also recognize that the world is a non-binary place. We ALL have an important role to play in protecting the planet. Wo(men) Mind the Water provides space to celebrate the work being done to safeguard our blue planet. There always will be space for stories that need to told.

Wo(me)n Mind the Water began as a digital stories project. The stories highlight the personal experiences of women and their connections with water. The digital stories can be viewed here.

The Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series is a podcast that engages artists in discussions about their connections with the ocean, how the ocean inspires their art, and how their ocean-inspired art influences others. To see a gallery of podcast guests, read summaries of their interviews, and connect with the podcasts, click here.

The artwork of Pam Ferris-Olson draws attention to the impact of human activity upon the ocean and her creatures. Pam’s marine animal images are engaging and quirky. She hopes the animals and the videos she designs stimulate thoughtful conversation and encourage action. Her superb photographs speak volumes of the majesty of the sea shore and the ocean. Pam’s artwork can be viewed here.

We hope is to inspire artistic collaborations that celebrate and foster respect for the ocean.

About Pam Ferris-Olson

Born under a water sign and growing up near the water, it’s natural that Pam Ferris-Olson would be the creative energy behind Wo(men) Mind the Water. Pam has studied ocean creatures and natural resource science, worked in communications, and has a doctorate in Leadership and Change. Pam created Wo(men) Mind the Water to explore the intersection of humans, water, and stories. Her brand of storytelling conveys a passion for the ocean and the ocean is the driving force behind her art. It’s deeply personal for Pam as she lives along the shore of the Gulf of Maine, a body of water that is among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world and warming faster than most other bodies of water.  Pam believes in the power of collaboration. She seeks to promote artistic collaborations that celebrate and foster respect for the ocean and each other.

Her non-fiction book, Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women’s Stories, featured three contemporary women as they struggle to live graceful lives weighed down by generational trauma and systemic racism. Both her dissertation and her book demonstrate that even though our personal journeys differ, they still resonate with us. Stories are what connect and lift us.

Pam has worked as an educator, writer, photographer, videographer, artist, and podcaster.  Her work has appeared on TV, in newspapers and magazines, and on a host of online sites.