Heroines

Christine Schmidt specializes in law and sociology at Laurentian
University.

Heroines is an exquisite, thought-provoking collection of over one
hundred black-and-white photographs of the impoverished women—largely
heroin addicts or prostitutes (or both)—who live in downtown
Vancouver. The photographs are much more than a leftist attempt to
elicit our sympathy and horror (though they do). They capture the
dignity, strength, and fighting spirit of their subjects, evoking in the
reader feelings of respect, hope, and even pride. They also serve as a
poignant reminder that these marginalized women are our mothers,
sisters, lovers, and friends. Clarkes’s controversial collection is
not wordless (the subject matter ranges from a history of the opium
trade to social commentary) but, ultimately, it is a testament to the
power of the image.