Click here:http://www.opticalrealities.org/Portfolio/Artist-Statement/ for Artist Statement

Linda Panetta is a photojournalist whose work focuses on cultural, environmental and human rights, with a particular emphasis on conflict zones, including: Guatemala and Nicaragua (late 1980's - 2007); Mexico (Chiapas & Oaxaca), Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Panama, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, El Salvador, Colombia (Putumayo, Barranca, Choco...), Afghanistan (2002), Iraq (2003 / 2004), Palestine (2006 / 2008)...

In 2008 Linda was awarded Best Single Color Photo (2nd place) by the Catholic Press Association for one of her photos in “St. Malachy: Philadelphia’s Island of Grace” (published in St. Anthony Messenger). And in 2005 they also awarded her two Honorable Mentions: Best Photo Story for "Iraq Diary" and Best General News Photo for "Iraq's Search for a Future" (published in the National Catholic Reporter).

Linda is the founder of Optical Realities Photography, the grassroots human rights organization SOA Watch/NE, and coordinator of the Jean Donovan Community Peace Center, which hosts the Mariposa Outreach Project, a mentoring program which supports survivors of torture and their families.

She is the producer and director of the award winning documentary "An Insider Speaks Out!", which highlights the abuses of the military training facility, the School of the Americas (SOA).

Linda's photos have been widely published in books, magazines, and newspapers and have been aired on several networks. Her photos have been exhibited throughout the US, Canada and Europe. She also does extensive lecturing using her slides to educate others about the implications of U.S. foreign policy and the realities of war. Linda also currently holds a teaching position at Cabrini College (Radnor, PA).

A few example of forums include:

Yale University, NYU, Fordham University, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Loyola University (New Orleans), Smith College, Bowling Green State University, George School, Villanova University, Swarthmore College, Cabrini College, Byrn Mawr College, St. John's University, La Salle University, University of New Mexico, Springfield University, Smith College, Eastern University, Chestnut Hill College, St. Peters College, Furman University, University of St. Thomas, College of Saint Benedict, Rosemont College, Kutz Elementary School, Lenape Middle School, St. Bonaventure University, St. Louis University HS, Akiba Hebrew Academy, University of Waterloo (Ontario), University of Toronto, Associazione Centro Di Accoglienza E Promozione Culturale (Italy). Conferences: Sabeel, Call to Action, Veterans for Peace…

Publications include:

Photos and/or Articles have appeared in (partial list):
Adbusters, America Magazine, Amnesty International Publications, Catholic New Times, Inc., Chicago Sun, Company Magazine, Conscious Choice, Friends Journal, Maryknoll Magazine, Revista Magazine, North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA), National Catholic Reporter (regular contributor), Philadelphia City Paper, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sing Out!, Sojourners Magazine, St. Anthony Messenger, The Catholic Standard & Times, The Nation, The Progressive, The Riverdale Press, Turning Wheel: The Journal of Socially Engaged Buddhism, Friends of the Earth International (Netherlands).

Book Contributions (partial list):
A Persistent Peace: One Man’s Struggle for a Nonviolent World. Loyola Press.
… Clashing Views on Latin American Issues: Plan Colombia… Plan of Death. McGraw-Hill
Political Geography. World-Economy, Nation-State and Locality. Prentice Hall.
Living Justice & Peace. St. Mary’s Press.
Love in Action… R.K. Taylor Publishing.
Cultural Anthropology, 1/ce (College Textbook). Thomson Nelson Learning
War in Colombia, Made in the U.S.A. IAC, NY
Jesus for President. Zondervan Press.
The Global & the Intimate: Women’s Studies Quarterly.
Santa Claus in Baghdad: Stories About Teens in the Arab World. Indiana Univ. Press.

Other:
CBS 3, Philadelphia (Mar 14, 2009) Featured story about Fr. McNamee.
CBS & NBC Nightly News, Philadelphia. Slide show of photos from Iraq
Voyageurs TV - Uruguay
Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE) - Website Publication: “Women & War in Colombia: None of the Women Make the War, but they All Live it.”
Amnesty International Conference, Czech Republic
Countless websites around the world.

Publications in Process:
"Mothers in Arms." Salvadoran women share their stories as former combatants and talk about their lives today as a politician, human rights advocate, hammock maker, healthcare worker, leader of a women’s cattle cooperative, ex-comandante entrepreneur, and mother...

Additional Projects (partial list):
Against the Odds. Making a Difference in Global Health. National Library of Medicine. Educational Photo Exhibit “A revolution in global health is taking place in villages and towns around the world. Communities, in collaboration with scientists, advocates, governments, and international organizations are taking up the challenge to prevent disease and improve quality of life…” http://www.getinvolved.against-the-odds.org/

American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) - “Dreams & Nightmares: Life and Death in Iraq.” Nine foot banners using photos taken in Iraq (2003) is part of a traveling outdoor exhibit/ memorial to highlight the affects of war and occupation. These images accompany AFSC's widely acclaimed Eyes Wide Open exhibit of combat boots and civilian shoes, commemorating all U.S. and Iraqi deaths in the war.

United Church of Christ, Santa Cruz, CA: 16 selected photos of women and children from throughout Haiti, Latin America and the Middle East were used to create larger than life-sized banners (dimensions: roughly 4 x 8 feet) which have been on display in the community center at the FCC congregation in Santa Cruz

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"Why A Vote Matters" offers an overview of more than twenty years of soul-searching and activism. The journey begins with a misguided sense of the insignificance of a vote and concludes with why a vote really does matter. Visit: http://www.opticalrealities.org/gallery/7190174_DFiBs

http://www.opticalrealities.org