What makes “The Women” so revolutionary is the way Ross flips traditional power dynamics on their head. She places these women in scenarios typically reserved for those of privilege—surfing, sailing, skiing, and even fencing. The women in her photographs are seen riding waves, participating in archery, and engaging in leisure activities that signify freedom and control, all traditionally depicted as reserved for wealthy, White individuals.

One of the series features African American women on safari in Africa, an ironic nod to their historical connection to the continent, where they are portrayed as adventurers reclaiming their land and taming lions, a direct inversion of colonialist narratives. These images, full of irony and historical references, invite viewers to reconsider their assumptions and challenge the deeply embedded stereotypes that have long distorted the portrayal of women of color in American culture. By: Serafina Calder, The Art Muse Express, December, 2024. I have been very fortunate to have my work reviewed so copiously in the last few years! For more information read my essay, The Women.