Mary F. Calvert, USA

Kano is the regional capital of the state of the same name in Nigeria. Poliomyelitis, often shortened to polio and also called infantile paralysis, is an incurable viral disease. What have Kano and Polio got to do with one another? In 2002, Islamic religious zeal combined with lack of knowledge and a hate campaign against western influence led to Kano shunning the WHO’s polio campaign. Rumor had it that the vaccine had been laced with anti-fertility drugs or even that they were used by the West to spread AIDS. The fatal consequence: after four years of disinformation, more than 3,000 children were infected with the poliovirus.

Kano is the regional capital of the state of the same name in Nigeria. Poliomyelitis, often shortened to polio and also called infantile paralysis, is an incurable viral disease. What have Kano and Polio got to do with one another? In 2002, Islamic religious zeal combined with lack of knowledge and a hate campaign against western influence led to Kano shunning the WHO’s polio campaign. Rumor had it that the vaccine had been laced with anti-fertility drugs or even that they were used by the West to spread AIDS. The fatal consequence: after four years of disinformation, more than 3,000 children were infected with the poliovirus. But the enormous number of children who suffered permanent health issues made even the most bigoted leaders change their minds. Now, they have are supporting prophylactic vaccination. Together with other organizations, UNICEF has been carrying out information and awareness campaigns that have already proved to be very successful: from 2009 to 2010, the number of polio cases in Nigeria decreased by 95%.

Capturing the demand for the right to physical integrity and good health, in particular in women and children, has been the main motivation behind American photographer Mary F. Calvert’s impressive images for many years.

But the enormous number of children who suffered permanent health issues made even the most bigoted leaders change their minds. Now, they have are supporting prophylactic vaccination. Together with other organizations, UNICEF has been carrying out information and awareness campaigns that have already proved to be very successful: from 2009 to 2010, the number of polio cases in Nigeria decreased by 95%.

Capturing the demand for the right to physical integrity and good health, in particular in women and children, has been the main motivation behind American photographer Mary F. Calvert’s impressive images for many years.

Curriculum Vitae: Mary F. Calvert

EDUCATION
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, 1985-89 Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, Virginia, 1977-83 Associate of Arts, Fine Art Photography, Cum Laude

EXPERIENCE
Washington DC, January 2010-present
Freelance Photographer
The Washington Times, Washington DC June 1998-December 2009,
Staff Photographer
The Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California November 1992-May 1998,
Staff Photographer

REFERENCES
Wally MacNamee, photographer, Newsweek, retired
Linda D. Epstein, McClatchy-Tribune Photo Service, McClatchy Washington Bureau Senior Photo Editor
Eli Reed, photographer, Magnum Photos, University of Texas, Faculty

HONORS
HOPE FOR A HEALTHY WORLD COMPETITION
2011 Best Global Health Picture Story, “Polio’s Line in the Sand”
Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award
2008 First Place, International Photography, “Lost Daughters”
1989 First Place, “Helpers in the War on A.I.D.S.”, San Francisco State University
The Pulitzer Prize
2010 Finalist, The Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography, “Congo’s War on Women”
2007 Finalist, The Pulitzer Prize in Feature Photography, “Ethiopia’s Trail of Tears”