Bursting

Director of the YWCA Central Indiana, WaTasha Barnes Griffin sits at her desk during a meeting, Jan. 16, at the YWCA on East Charles St., Muncie, Ind. Her office walls are filled with inspirational quotes floating around her while she meets with people in the community. As director of the facility, WaTasha oversee's the services of the YWCA Central Indiana emergency stay or longterm housing for women and children reaching over 50 women a night from central Indiana area. The YWCA provides opportunities and homes to the women who live below the poverty line in Muncie, while taking on issues to eliminate racism in the community and empower women.

WaTasha Barnes Griffin stands in the door way of the second floor kitchen and asks how the young woman and her child are doing, Jan. 16, at the YWCA on East Charles Street, Muncie, IN. Since she was a young girl, WaTasha recalls always being helping the Muncie community through her mother and grandmother serving at soup kitchens, volunteering at churches and other organizations. Now, WaTasha has combined two of her passions of empowering women and helping a community with her position leading the YWCA.

WaTasha stands in the hallway talking to a resident staying at the YWCA, Jan. 16, off of East Charles St. Muncie, IN. WaTasha listened to the young woman express her concerns for her upcoming court date with her abuser afraid of the possibility he might reach out and hurt her again. With weight to Griffin's voice, she looked up at the young and said, "Well... you are safe now," reassuring the woman she had little to fear. While working as the director of the YWCA, she is also running for Muncie city council seeking more opportunities to impact the community.

Melanie Howe stands laughing in her kitchen, March 19, in her Muncie, IN condo. Melanie is known for her energy or when she was the Bearcat mascot while attending Muncie Central High School. Recently, she has reached another audience besides the ones in bleachers and on sidelines. After being diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, Melanie made the decision to use her voice to make an impact on women's lives in the Muncie community by sharing her story of her recent double mastectomy.

“They were tiny little boobs, but they were my boobs,” said with a laugh while examining her scars from her recent double mastectomy. Melanie said it was an easy decision to make and though her body has changed drastically and she battles with tightness and stiffness in her chest, she remains energetic and positive. Melanie’s open book style to sharing her journey through cancer has captured the attention of her thousands of Facebook friends and followers. The morning of her mammogram, she made a video telling women to get their breast examined and reminds us, what is the worst that can happen? Soon after pressing share, Melanie left for the hospital to have both of her breast removed.

"I have a voice. I have always had a voice," said Melanie Howe while gently touching her scars along her body, March 19, in her Muncie condo. Melanie is a marketing analysis helping small Muncie businesses with navigating marketing and social media to help promote their business. She also see's herself on a stage helping people find their path to their passion. She somehow always has the best advice, whether if you are running a business or if you are just a little lost. By defining her own path of her life, Melanie has taken ownership of the things she wants, "I got tried of living in the boxes, so I decided to stand on them."

Stephanie Hutchison looks over her shoulder listening to another dancer before the start of a burlesque show at Mark’s III, Feb. 27, Muncie, IN. Hutchison has always been a dancer, but burlesque has not always been apart of her life. Over four years ago, Stephanie held a burlesque dance workout class and after weeks of hosting this class, Stephanie asked her classmates if they would be interested in dancing on a stage in Indianapolis at a real burlesque show. With an overwhelming amount of support, Stephanie and three other women continued to build a team of dancers to preform around the midwest for charity shows, night clubs, and in contests. The Funcie Femme's is the first and only burlesque troop in Muncie giving the community an edgy and empowering form of entertainment.

Stephanie Hutchison yells for her boyfriend while putting in hair extensions, Feb. 27, at her Muncie home. Stephanie's family comes from a conservative background and remembers the sexism and boundaries within her high school. "No girl wants to be put into a box," said Stephanie. Becoming a burlesque dancer Stephanie has found empowerment while dancing on stage and enjoys the show business life. Though, her family was not too supportive of her dancing at first, they have come around and supported her work with the Funcie Femme Burlesque troop.

Stephanie Hutchison looks at her costume while standing in the dressing room of Mark III Tap Room, Feb. 27, in Muncie, IN, as she prepares for a burlesque show apart of the Funcie Femme Burlesque Troop. Stephanie’s impact on the community started with finding comfort and balance in a yoga studio as a teacher. She did not just bring Muncie residents to a yoga mat, but she worked with the Muncie Animal Shelter creating yoga with adoptable cats, puppies, bunnies and goats. Her creativity in involving the community to be active and moving has now reached a new potential with encouraging women to love their bodies through whatever activity they enjoy doing.

Jamie Prang also known as Lady J, pulls on her stockings in the dressing rooms of Mark's III, Feb. 27, in downtown Muncie, IN. To those who do not know burlesque are quick to judge, but Jamie chose to preform a tease dance on stage because of how good it makes her feel. Ten years ago, Jamie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that causes muscle spasms, fatigue, lack of balance and coordination, and difficulty moving arms and legs. Burlesque dancing was a way for Jamie to fight back the symtoms of her disease.

Jamie Prang lines her lips with a purple mat lipstick before the start of a burlesque show, Feb. 27, at Mark's III, in downtown Muncie, IN. Originally from Florida, Jamie came to Muncie and immersed herself into color guard and theater learning the ways of being a performer. Four years ago, Jamie began performing for the Funcie Femme Burlesque Troop at various shows as a way to keep her body moving. "I kind of have to give MS the middle finger sometimes," said Jamie.

Fixing the final pieces to her costume, Jamie Prang(Lady J) also known as Mrs. Mayhem, looks in the mirror before the start of the burlesque show, Feb. 27, at Mark's III, Muncie, IN. For ten years, Jamie has found ways to use her art of burlesque dancing as a way to raise money for research for MS by holding fundraisers and connecting with other people with MS. With the support of her husband Nathan or Mr. Mayhem and her friends, Jamie has made the most out her life and living with MS. With new medicine, it has made it easier for her to continue to do the things she loves. "MS broke me... But I was born a fighter," said Jamie.

IU Ball Memorial Hospital Genomics Center bedside nurse Allison Spradlin talks to one of her cancer patients about her treatment, Feb. 27, Muncie, IN. For 13 years, Spradlin has helped coach cancer patients as they live with a possible terminal illness. Patients turn to the genomics program which identifies the best treatment plan for someone's cancer by looking at the genetic make up of their cancer. IU Ball Memorial Hospital is one of only two hospitals in Indiana offering this type of treatment to patients. “It’s personalized treatment for someone’s unique disease because it is as unique as they are," said Allison.

Bedside nurse Allison Spradlin listens carefully to a patient while she talks about her fears of her cancer treatment, Feb. 27, IU Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, IN. Allison builds a relationship with her patients by having difficult conversations about planning for the best and worst case scenarios. She is there when blood is drain, during doctors visits and after hours when families have gone home leaving her and the patient to talk about the best and worst case scenarios for their illness. Not all cancer battles are won, but Allison provides a support system to help ease the stress and fear of cancer patients as a coach for each family.

Allison Spradlin talks with a former patient about her medication in the hallway of IU Ball Memorial Hospital, Feb. 27, Muncie, IN. Coming from a family of nurses, Spradlin swore she would pick a different career path, “Being the middle child and an identical twin, I was bound and determined to be different," said Allison. She found herself graduating from Ball State University with a degree in nursing and working at the oncology program. Day's after her graduation, she was handed a journal that belonged to her grandmother who passed away from colon cancer. Inside told her grandmother's story of her battle with cancer and Allison recognized the names of the nurses and doctors she has been working with over the past year before graduating. "I realized I was right where I needed to be,” said Allison

Leaning in for her famous hugs, Bibi Bahrami (right) embraces a board member of the non for profit AWAKEN on Saturday, April 6, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie. The doors remained open to the church that afternoon as people carried chairs, tables, flowers and food to the large room where they set up for AWAKEN’s largest event the fundraiser dinner. Bibi Bahrami founded the non for profit after moving to Muncie and was devastated by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The backlash on the Muslim community hurt Bibi in a way that inspired her to do something about it. Bibi has made it her mission to empower the Muncie community and her religion by combating the stereotypes of her religion with kindness and helping others.

Bibi Bahrami sits in the sunlight, at her home, Jan. 27, in Muncie IN. While getting her photo taken, Bibi talked about women in the Muncie community that inspired saying, “Women are my power.” Bibi is the founder of AWAKEN a non for profit helping to rebuild the educational system, health care services, and emergency assistance in places like her hometown Qala-e-Malakh, Afghanistan. For the past 17 years Bibi has focused on those who have been affected by violence and poverty of war and has empowered the people around her.

Bibi Bahrami reaches for a kiss on her nieces cheek, April 6, at at Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie. Before Bibi came to Muncie, she spent six years in a refugee camp with her family and always found a way to help her family and others with cooking and cleaning at the camp. It is also where she met her husband and followed him to Muncie for a residency position at IU Ball Memorial Hospital. Bibi recognizes her luck and life she has, thus always making time to go back to Afghanistan to see her family and offer her help in anyway that she can. “How is it that women and children are the one’s who suffer the most?” said Bibi. She visits the schools her foundation help build and finds herself overwhelmed with joy helping the families who are less fortunate than her.

Standing next to her husband, Mary Dollison dries her tears while singing church hymns, Feb. 10, at Kirby Avenue Church of God, Muncie, IN. Mary and her family moved here from a small town in Louisiana and has attended the same church for the past 67 years. She was 12 when she visited Muncie, IN, for the first time to see a cousin, "I came home and told my family, 'We have got to live in that big city!'" said Mary referring to Muncie in the 1950's. With persistence, Mary convinced her family to move north where she continued her education and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in teaching.

Mary Dollison grips the hand of her husband Cornelius as they sing church hymns, Feb. 10, at The Kirby Avenue Church of God, Muncie, IN. Mary Dollison desegregated Muncie elementary schools for teachers as the first black woman to be hired at Morris Mock Elementary School in the 70’s. She knew how good of a teacher she was and decided to apply to schools with better programs and with better pay. Soon after starting at Morris Mock Elementary, she transferred her kids to the same school. Mary recalls the shock from parents during parent teacher conferences when they realized their child’s teacher was a young black woman. “You see, kids… They don’t know the difference. We were just teachers,” said Mary.

Mary stands up and claps her hands and sings to the hymns, Feb. 10, at Kirby Avenue Church of God, in Muncie, IN. Mary Dollison noticed the decline in grades while students were away for summer break and decided to start Motivate Our Minds (MOM), in 1987 to encourage students in the African American Muncie community learn more their heritage and history by reading during a summer school program. This brought the community together and since has grown and impacted hundreds of students in Muncie. Mary has always been inspired by reading books and she found empowerment through her community and has since devoted her time to building up the young students and aspiring teachers through various volunteer programs in the Whitely community.

Dr. Mia Johnson (right) sits next to her husband while cheering for her son playing basketball at the Northwest YMCA, March 23, in Muncie, IN. Dr. Johnson is the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at Ivy Tech and has been the at the center of diverse conversations with students to plan their path through their education. She meets with students who are from Muncie and helps them find loans, make schedules, and is there when the path gets difficult for some students. She listens and empowers the students she meets with to pursue the best path for them.

Dr. Mia Johnson (right) sits next to her husband while her talks to their 10-year-old son after his basketball game, March 23, at the Northwest YMCA, Muncie, IN. Dr. Johnson recalls the day she found out she was pregnant. She was standing in target with her sister and asked, what if? Finding out she was pregnant pushed her into gear, "It was time to do something. It was time to get my head out of my ass," said Mia.

Walking out of the gym, Mia wraps her arm around her son and smiling, March 23, at the Northwest YMCA, Muncie, IN. When her son was still a toddler, Mia recalls winter approaching and worrying because she could not buy her son a winter coat. By using her instilled competitiveness, Mia went back and got an education to pursue a better life for her and her son. "I love saying, “Watch this," said Mia towards the people who doubted her. Mia pursed her doctorate and became Dr. Mia Johnson. Soon winter did come around, Mia said in relief, "I can buy him a winter coat!" Her experiences help her relate to the students that come through Ivy Tech. As the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, she gets to have real conversations with her students, sometimes even encouraging them to be competitive and say, "Watch this."

“I’m over here!” called Nancy Carlson from the rafters of the costume room at Muncie Civic Theatre, “This is cool, huh?” Nancy Carlson said, and looked around at the long isles of dresses, suits, and camel costumes. She stood on a platform 11 feet high, looking for fake fur. Just a normal Thursday evening, on Feb. 24, for Nancy. After retiring from Ball State University College of Communication Information and Media(CCIM) as the first woman to be hired, she balances a tight schedule of volunteering in the Muncie community giving her time to more than eight local churches, charities and stores.

Nancy Carlson holds up a skirt in excitement after digging through a box of costumes and props, Feb. 24, at Muncie Civic Theatre, in downtown Muncie, IN. Nancy will spend some time at Civic organizing and fixing costumes and the next hour somewhere else. Nancy gives her time to Free Teachers Store on South Madison, parts her time with the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Kids Words and the Mission Quilt. She makes menstruation pads for women in Uganda apart of the Dignity Pads group at the Lutheran Service World Relief. She is known around the community for her homemade hats made out of recycled material and donates all the profits to local charities. 4H Club, Farmers Market and the United Way Reading Club, name it and Nancy is probably volunteering with it.

Sitting at her dining room table, Nancy sews a hat in her Muncie home. “If you can create, do,” said Nancy one afternoon and she wasn’t kidding either. Nancy has created something every moment she can by sewing hats, clothing, quilts, and costumes. But Nancy does not just choose to make things because they bring her joy, she finds joy in making other peoples lives better. The selfless act of giving and that involves a majority of her time. After retiring from Ball State in 2015, she has filled her days with creating and changing the world around her. With great enthusiasm, Nancy throws her hands, “I love making something out of nothing!” she said. This has been not only been a motto she has inspire students with as a professor, but it has been something she tries to stand by. With making hats or quilts, Nancy dedicates her time to serving the community. Trying to make something out of nothing.

Ball State University guardian scholar coordinator Olivia Fellows watches her students paint on canvas's for a Valentines Day get together, Feb. 9, at Huffer Childcare Services, Muncie, IN. Fellows works in the Guardian Scholars Program helping former foster care youth attend college to complete their bachelor degrees. Currently, Olivia oversees 15 students helping them coordinate living expenses, dining and support during their four years of college. Ball State University is ranked in the country for foster care youth graduating from college.

Ball State University guardian scholar program coordinator Olivia Fellows is surrounded by her students that look to her as guidance during their four years of college. Fellows stayed at Ball State University after completing her masters, then taking a job with the Guardian Scholars Program helping foster care youth through college. Now, Fellows is apart of various Muncie women's groups as a leader volunteering her time to build up the community, "I took a chance in staying in the community" said Fellows.