The Most Heartening Stories aka My Favorite People

Aug 4

Part 2 of my website launch series showcasing the most impactful stories I’ve had the honor to witness. Meeting different people, getting to know the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of their lives, is one of the best parts of my job.

Bydelsmødre

Woman in yellow dress and veil poses outside

With the refugee crisis intensifying in Europe, non-western immigrants (particularly females) were struggling to integrate into their new Danish communities, navigate the government, healthcare and school systems, and just simply feel like they belong.

Enter mothers.

Immigrant women, who had invaluable experience migrating to Denmark, formed a sort of mentorship program which spread throughout the country. They are called the Bydelsmødre (neighborhood mothers) and they give women the confidence to stand on their own two feet.

Woman stands on balcony and looks over a community park

Emphasizing a “help to self-help” mentality, they simply provide tools and support for other immigrants to make the best decisions for their family and their community.

I met so many incredible women whom I hold a deep respect for. Not only are they managing their own households, but they are working toward a better future for their children and helping others do the same.

A family of 7 poses in their living room

Three women in pink scarves/veils sit on steps

A woman hold hands with her two daughters for a portrait

Bird's eye view of a table with cookies and cups, hand is lifting a tea cup

A couple sits on their couch with their five children

This story was completed while I was at the Danish School of Media and journalism. It was my article for our cohort’s magazine “belong” which you can see below!

All of the stories featured in this series have a common theme, which alludes to the type of work I’ll be focusing on. Can you guess what it is?

Hi there, I'm Mackenzie, your birth photographer.

Mackenzie Brockman