There is an American Indian story resonating in my heart and mind. I would like to share it with you. A grandmother was sitting with her young grandchild teaching some life lessons, as only grandparents can do. “We believe there are two wolves in our hearts, a good wolf and a treacherous wolf,” said the grandmother. “Which wolf will win,” asked the child. “The one you feed,” said the grandmother.

Welcome to our new website, created to share the incredible body of work that has come from the Alexia Foundation. In 1991, we awarded our first 5 student grants. Today, that number is 110. Since 1997, we have given grants to 18 professionals. In total, that translates into $700,000 and 128 funded projects. We would never have imagined that through our loss we could learn so much about our daughter’s passion. We have met the most extraordinary storytellers, our photographers, who uncover with powerful voices, keen eyes and thoughtful insights the important issues of our day. They are feeding the good wolf!

Our first place student grant winner, in 1991, Tamara Voninski, wonders about the status of women’s roles in current society. She asks, “what are the women doing? In her essay entitled, “One of the Boys,” she shows the struggle that women encounter while navigating in a man’s world. That story is as relevant today as it was 22 years ago, as women still encounter gender bias, sexual harassment and second class citizenship around the world. The Alexia Foundation is doing its part in exposing this issue with our “Global Women’s Initiative.” In the next two years we will have a major exhibit on women’s issues, a new competition dedicated to violence and abuse against women and a seminar bringing together NGO’s, academics, politicians and photographers to offer solutions. We are feeding the good wolf!

Trailblazing is the stuff of Alexia photographers. Thoughtful and committed trailblazers are what the Alexia Competition looks for each year. The selections our judges make each February are validated as our winners go on to win other major competitions and have their Alexia work accepted by the most prestigious publications and photographic outlets world-wide.

to seek out those photojournalists who make pictures that won’t allow us to turn away

We are also interested in moving with the changing environment in photography. It is now possible for a single person to shoot video, edit it and quickly send it to the web for all to see. Many news outlets hire these “off-air” reporters, or imbeds, as they are called, as full time employees. The photography workplace is being redefined. Although our first love will always be still photography; we realize and appreciate the enormous contribution that multimedia can and is making to the spread of news and ideas. We are ready to jump right in. We will be officially accepting and encouraging multimedia entries.

And so it goes: each year brings us new challenges to solve and new frontiers to discover. Our vision is always to look to the future; to seek out those photojournalists who make pictures that won’t allow us to turn away.

Return to our website often, take the time to immerse yourself in our stories and share them with your friends. Give us your thoughts and wise counsel. Return often to help us feed the good.

Aphrodite and Peter Tsairis