A video series by photographer Zach Adams highlighted stories of women in the Springfield community for Women’s History Month in March, with particular focus on how professional women navigate impostor syndrome and self-doubt. Adams, who works as a digital media coordinator for Illinois Times and Springfield Business Journal in addition to owning 1221 Photography, launched the project to give women a platform to share their experiences.
Perspectives on Impostor Syndrome
Dr. Kemia Sarraf, physician and CEO of the trauma-responsive coaching and consulting business Lodestar, addressed impostor syndrome in her video interview. She stated, “You should feel like an impostor when you’re first learning how to save or heal another human being. That’s a big responsibility. If you don’t feel unequal to the task, you did not understand the assignment.” Sarraf reflected on how this feeling evolves with age and experience, saying, “The very best thing that I can do is commit myself to the task that’s right in front of me.”
Coping Strategies and Mental Health
Shatriya Smith, executive director of the Garvey Tubman Cultural Arts & Research Center, shared her approach to managing impostor syndrome: “Impostor syndrome and self-doubt are a big issue for me because I can convince myself that I am the problem and believe it.” Smith emphasized the importance of speaking aloud about these feelings, explaining, “If I speak it out loud, I can dispel any of those energies that falsely make me believe that’s true.” She noted that she calls someone to talk through her feelings to process them effectively.
Project Impact
Adams initiated the video project with friends, acquaintances, and family members to showcase women’s journeys. According to Adams, the project “allowed me to see women differently, to hear their stories, to hear some of the things that they’ve been through, how they’ve persevered through it.” The series continued for each day of March in both 2025 and 2026, featuring diverse women from the community sharing their experiences and perspectives on professional and personal challenges.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.illinoistimes.com/articles/showcasing-womens-stories/