This year, thanks to Andy Mars, Outreach Director, and PWP volunteers,* Professional Women Photographers had a presence at the PDN Photo Plus Expo at the Javits Center. Not only was it great exposure for PWP, but the non-profits were also highlighted by Jeff McQuilkin, Group Show Director, The Nielsen Photo Group, in PDN Magazine:

“…there is another great reason to€¨ attend that we don’t talk about nearly enough. At PhotoPlus we are proud €¨to partner with ten different photography-related nonprofit organizations,€¨including Rehabilitation Through Photography, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep,€¨ Photo Philanthropy, Professional Women Photographers, and many others. If €¨you missed them, or missed the show, you can find out more about these€¨ great causes by visiting the list of exhibitors at www.photoplusexpo.com. €¨The holidays are just around the corner – the season of giving back – so I €¨can’t think of a better time to take a minute to learn more about how some €¨people are using the power of photography to help those in need.”

The idea of giving back is not new to Andy. In 2006, she founded the PWP Community Service Committee which is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers. Each year, the Committee partners with a non-profit to futher its mission through  photographic services. The images produced are used by the organization for publicity materials, annual reports and exhibitions. The first group the CSC partnered with was historic University Settlement House, followed by Learning Leaders, then Women In Need.

In 2010, the Community Service Committee launched its first mentoring program with children from Women In Need, and was honored with the 2010 Suzanne Pincus Commit to WIN Award for volunteer group of the year. The Community Service Committee is currently working with the Food Bank of New York.