Visual Essay: Jed Conklin, Boxing Beauties

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Jed Conklin took photographs for a number of small newspapers throughout the United States before becoming a freelance photographer in 2007. His work has since taken him around the world to countries including Morocco, Iraq, and China. Back in the United States, he completed an extensive commemorative project of the 1988 Yellowstone Fires. His work has been recognized in photojournalism competitions including Pictures of the Year International and the National Press Photographers Association’s the Best of Photojournalism competition. In his photo essay, “Boxing Beauties,” Conklin captures the excitement and intensity of the U.S. women’s Olympic Team Trials for boxing, where three women secured spots to fight in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the 2012 London Olympic Games. After viewing the photos, respond to the questions that follow.

AS YOU READ: Think about gender roles in sports.

Virginia Fuchs bows her head in the backstage warmup area as the National Anthem plays in the main pavilion.
Jed Conklin
A boxer gets taped before a fight during the women’s boxing U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Jed Conklin
Tyrieshia Douglas gets her opponent, Taversha Norwood, against the ropes in the flyweight division.
Jed Conklin
A trainer, Rocky Garza, consoles one of his boxers, Tiffanie Hearn, after she loses at the U.S. women’s boxing Olympic trials.
Jed Conklin
Queen Underwood takes a punch from N’Yteeyah Sherman in the lightweight division during the women’s boxing U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Underwood won.
Jed Conklin
Mikaela Mayer, left, hugs N’Yteeyah Sherman after their fight at the U.S. women’s boxing Olympic Team Trials. Mayer won the fight.
Jed Conklin
Tika Hemingway signs autographs during the U.S. women’s boxing Olympic Team Trials.
Jed Conklin

Questions to Start You Thinking

  1. Question

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Journal Prompts

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Suggestions for Writing

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