The weight that women hold — literally and metaphorically — is endless. #IWD2026 #TED

One day at a farmers market, I saw a woman carrying an absolutely gigantic cabbage. When I asked to photograph her, she looked really annoyed. And for some reason, I was so delighted by her crankiness. It seemed so authentic and true. Let's just say what we feel. Uh, it made me think of all the things women hold literally and metaphorically. balloons and grudges and heavy loads and cabbages and stupendous love and courage and a pink ukulele under a cherry tree. And from this a book was formed. Women holding things. What do women hold? The home and the family and the children and the food, the friendships, the work, the work of the world and the work of being human. Sometimes when I'm feeling particularly happy or content, I think I can provide sustenance for legions of human beings. I can hold the entire world in my arms. Other times, I can barely cross the room and I drop my arms frozen. There is never an end to holding and certainly there is often the feeling of never doing