Leah Missbach Day sees her own youth in the candid poses of the teenagers she photographs. Seen flirting, preening, or making out, they are caught at that awkward transitional time in off-center or otherwise askew compositions. Beginning to have adult feelings, they don’t have much sense of their own identities beyond their emerging sexuality.  For better or worse, Ms. Day says, “this article is an authentic telling of her path to photography.”

This is a story of how Abel, a 17-year-old head of household is raising four other orphans ages 8-17, after their parents died of AIDS in Zimbabwe.  When Nicholas Kristoff asked what Abel dreamed of he said “a bicycle” so that he could cut the six hours he spent walking to and from school and, thus, take better care of the younger orphans.  Abel got his wish. Receiving a bicycle built his confidence that he would pass exams. A short time later he became a trained mechanic for World Bicycle Relief.  This article was a first that put World Bicycle Relief on the map as a bona fide global organization.  

This ELLE magazine feature highlights the mission of World Bicycle Relief and its global impact, providing durable bicycles to people in underserved communities. The article explores how reliable transportation improves access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, while sharing stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed through mobility.

Substack columnist Donald Fitzmaurice of Cycling Society II explores how bicycles shape confidence, independence, and connection within communities. This data informed essay examines the social power of riding — from personal transformation to broader cultural impact — and reflects on how access to bicycles can influence a myriad of opportunity.

Who needs Wonder Woman when you’ve got mothers? In 2018, Leah Missbach Day was named on a list of the 20 Most Influential Moms. Highlighting how perseverance, power, and grit can help shape the next generation.

"If you see it, you can be it" is the motivating mantra of the Emmy nominated docuseries "Seeing Brave," produced and directed by Dana Cook and Katie Wilkes, founders of Freeheart Creative. Driven to inspire the next generation of leaders they feature Leah Missbach Day as one of three exemplary women who are transforming lives around the globe in response to crisis.