You browsed through the gallery of the fantastic WOW WOMEN. Most recently, you have read about Ukrainian women and what they are enduring in the country under attack.

The war is ongoing. I am Ukrainian and a proud volunteer for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The only way I see Ukraine repelling the russian aggressor is by supporting the armed forces who are not only defending but putting pressure on the invader. They are our only hope and I will be supporting them with donations and fundraising for as long as necessary.

You too can join this effort. I have personally been donating weekly, since 2022.

This is where I do the work. You can find the photos of the military guys holding delivered items I fundraised for.

This is the work is where I feel most fulfilled. Why don’t you join me.

What are the outcomes of the WOW Woman Project? What are the “lessons learned”?

We all have stories, hardships, mind-blowing changes and career flips (and flops). We are uniquely similar in our struggle to be different all while simply wanting to be content with the choices we make. We want to have loving partners, be independent, child happy (or free) but ultimately crave connections that make us feel loved. Our most important influencers are more often than not our mothers and close girlfriends and the most doled out advice to other women is to persist and be true to our guts. We love to read, and as the youngest ever WOW WOMAN® Isadora exclaimed, “a good book is like my favorite ice cream, you never want it to to end!" and when asked how old she'll turn next year, she stated: "Next year I will be turning twelve, but first I need to turn eleven". Good reminder for the rest of us: one foot in front of the other - just keep moving. The next generation is bright, eager and hopeful – and this observation should give us all a deep sense of gratitude that we are doing something right.

Thank YOU (the reader) and each and every WOW WOMAN in your life. I hope you saw their reflection in these pages.

Respectfully,

Olga Shmaidenko | Founder & Photographer, WOW WOMAN®

*All photography copyright Olga Shmaidenko (aka riverflowsthroughit)