Cheryl Gerber is a local New Orleans photographer who has been working to capture the essential Newcomb events since 2007. She is also quite renowned in Crescent City for her captivating portraits of women, especially those most tightly woven in the fabric of Mardi Gras. When discussing her book, Cherchez la Femme: New Orleans Women, her passions for cultural diversity and the strength of sisterhood are apparent. “Newcomb was and is so special because women are still able to enjoy sisterhood through it. The same is true for the female marching krewes of Mardi Gras,” says Cheryl.
Being an observer through the lens has allowed Cheryl to examine the changing times through the Carnival scene.
“It is remarkable how much public perception of women and people of color have changed over the years; it’s very moving even if we have much further to go” she says. “Women are the quiet activists. In school associations, in the courthouse, in board rooms, they don’t get a ton of media attention, but they know each other, and they work together. Being together lifts them up!”
Check out Cheryl’s book, Cherchez la Femme: New Orleans Women to find women from all different walks of life, including Mardi Gras Indian Queen and Tulane alumna, Tahj Williams as well as Newcomb Institute’s own, Geneva Longlois-Marney.
