Internationally recognized photojournalist Eman Mohammed spoke at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Honors Forum on Feb. 25, sharing her work and experiences with students, including her coverage of life in Gaza and the challenges of being a working mother.
Mohammed, a Palestinian-born photojournalist, showcased her work during a presentation at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Honors Forum on Feb. 25. Beginning her career at the age of 19, Mohammed has since gained international recognition for her powerful photographs capturing the struggles of people in Gaza and other topics related to gender and race.
Mohammed’s work has been published in major publications, including The Guardian, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. In recent years, her focus has shifted to gender and race issues in the United States, particularly within the Arab American community. A senior TED Fellow, Mohammed has also been featured in Le Monde, National Public Radio, and CNN.
Throughout her career, Mohammed has used photography to advocate for the rights and dignity of underrepresented voices, highlighting the power of visual journalism to foster empathy and understanding.
During her presentation, Mohammed discussed various topics, including censorship from editors and her personal experiences as a working mother. She also shared the stories behind her photographs, which depicted a wide range of emotions and themes. While many of her images showcased destruction, they also captured moments of joy and beauty.
“Beautiful photos, but terrible tragedy,” said Mohammed when reflecting on her photos of destruction in Gaza.
Although much of the discussion focused on her time in Gaza, Mohammed has also spent around 10 years covering stories in the United States. She shared a personal story about her newborn daughter being injured during an airstrike in Gaza while Mohammed was away covering the death of another family. Her daughter’s injury, caused by a bomb made in the U.S., led to a seven-year journey through the American healthcare system, an experience Mohammed described as particularly difficult.
After the presentation, students engaged in a question-and-answer session with Mohammed, seeking more insight into her life and work. Several students stayed afterward for further discussion.
“The separate stories, each with their own impactful meanings, really brought Eman’s speech to life,” said USM Honors student Katie Krance. “The realism in the photos showed heartbreak and loss, but they also allowed joy and kindness to shine in those times of struggle.”
Mohammed’s presentation left a lasting impression on the students, highlighting the importance of visual storytelling in addressing critical social issues.
