Throughout her career in Hollywood, Lakewood native Holly Fulger struggled with her appearance. Even as she landed role after role, she questioned whether she met society’s standards of female beauty.
Particularly troublesome, to her, was her hair. No matter what she did with it, she was never satisfied, never confident that her peers or viewers regarded her favorably.
“I could never get to the point where I was right enough,” Fulger said. “I never felt that. It gets to the point where it really affects your ambition and your success.”
Years later, Fulger caught her daughter doing the exact same thing: fretting about her appearance. Fulger had had enough.
Out of that experience was born True Beauty Discovery, a nonprofit committed to “rewriting the rules about what it means to be beautiful.” That organization, in turn, is now running a pilot program in Cleveland called “IlluminateHER,” using digital photography to help teenage girls in Slavic Village forge a robust sense of self.
The theme of the program? “It’s not about how you look,” Fulger said. “It’s about what’s inside you and the difference you can make. That’s what this project is all about: taking pictures that speak for you.”
One thing IlluminateHER is not about, per se, is photography. Although the project will culminate in an exhibit and merchandise sale Nov. 22 at 78th Street Studios, the object isn’t necessarily to create fine art. It’s to create confident young women.
In their twice-weekly sessions at the Broadway branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, the inaugural class of seven spends far more time sharing and discussing the photos they’ve taken than mastering the small digital cameras they’ll eventually get to keep. No one talks about composition, exposure or shutter speed.
“You can be as complicated or as simple as you want,” Fulger said at one session. “It’s not about being Ansel Adams.”
Still, they’re learning a lot, and what they’re learning may in fact be more valuable. They’re developing not just an eye but a healthy self-image, and the sense that their viewpoint has value. They’re also learning how to interpret photography, to identify and articulate meaningful imagery.
Fulger shared one of her own photos as an example. The downward-facing picture she took of her dog while on a walk may not be Pulitzer-worthy. To her, though, it speaks volumes: of joy, love for life, and the imperative to be a leader, not a follower.
“Holly’s passion is infectious, and the girls see that,” said Ken Wood, director of communication for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. “Their worldview is expanding week by week.”
Many of the photos submitted ahead of one early session were simple selfies, taken while the girls were going about their days. In every case, what earned Fulger’s praise wasn’t the subject’s hair, clothing or jewelry but rather her demeanor or expression. In each one, Fulger saw some evidence of humor, confidence or wisdom. Future assignments include portraits of family members and photos depicting pressures, joys, and sources of strength.
Much of the language Fulger uses in IlluminateHER derives from a rubric she developed called the “7 Legends,” a set of fundamental personality types and the traits that define them.
She encourages young women to “become legendary” by identifying as a dreamer, sleuth, warrior, enthusiast, trailblazer, activist or luminary. There’s even a quiz to help participants determine which archetype fits best, and one of the program’s key exercises is drawing a medieval-style “coat of arms” that encapsulates their nature.
“They want to learn,” Fulger said of her class. “They want to understand. They’re on the cusp and they’re so vulnerable and tender. They’re just starting to understand who they are and their strengths.”
Fulger is uniquely qualified to make observations like that, and to lead IlluminateHER. Not only does she have a daughter and firsthand experience of the kind of “bullying and teasing…that just doesn’t go away,” but through her career, she has emerged as something of an icon to the very demographic she’s now addressing.
The tweens in IlluminateHER probably haven’t heard of “Thirtysomething,” “Ellen,” or “Anything but Love,” three television shows in which Fulger played a regular role. There’s a good chance, however, that they’ve seen one of Disney’s three “Zenon” movies, in which Fulger played Aunt Judy.
Among all age groups, but especially tween girls, “It’s probably the thing I’m most known for,” Fulger said. “That those movies are still so popular is the funniest thing to me, but it’s also so fulfilling, and it brings me such joy.”
Another thing that brings Fulger joy? Watching students in IlluminateHER transform from girls excited to receive a camera but too shy to talk about themselves into young women ready, willing and able to make a statement. To put their work on a gallery wall.
“It’s so exciting,” Fulger said. “I just love the whole idea of this project.”
Fulger isn’t alone in that sentiment. No less committed to the concept are the staff at the Broadway branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
They, after all, see the participants every day. They, better than most, can speak to the differences they’re seeing, to the profound effects a digital camera, a few well-conceived assignments, and artistic license are having on their students.
Outside IlluminateHER, many of the participants don’t converse. Inside, however, “I’ve been able to watch them open up a little,” said Bee Puthoff, assistant director of the branch, noting that the girls are “taking each other’s pictures, crafting together, and relating on experiences they wouldn’t discuss” elsewhere.
“I definitely foresee some of the girls building long-lasting friendships with each other as a result,” she added. “I’m excited to continue watching them grow.”
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