Lynn Blumas​

 

After 23 years of owning and operating her own school photography business,

Lynn Blumas decided to re-connect with her original passion for photography by selling her business, and instead imagining it as an outlet for creativity. In doing such, it sparked a new found spirit inside her to pursue other goals in life as well.
 

In 2006, Lynn joined two grassroots organizations that fulfilled those dreams: a small NGO with a large vision of international humanitarian efforts called CASS: Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan, and a locally focused community women's centre called My Sisters' Place. On her first trip to Sudan, Lynn worked on micro enterprising initiatives with women in the Northern province of Bahr el Ghazal. She witnessed first hand the direct impacts that these types of initiatives had on the communities involved, and met many women who inspired her to continue this work at home and abroad. This is how ME: Micro Enterprise was created at My Sisters' Place. With the vision of empowering at-risk women through an entrepreneurial spirit to achieve a level of self sustainability, the incubating program has now seen over 50 women successfully transition back in leadership roles within their respective communities. Currently housed in its own beautiful heritage coach house with a large creative workspace for the women to feel inspired and produce their work, ME has woven a wonderful network that connects women across several different countries, and several satellite programs within London.

 

She feels she owes this vision and passion to continue to do this work to all the women she met throughout her travels that have taken oppression and turned it into opportunity.