The Dignity of Children

Winner named in Brown/Providence Journal photography contest

Patricia Harrington of Naperville, Ill., has been named the winner in the photography contest sponsored by Brown University and The Providence Journal. Her photo best illustrated The Dignity of Children, the theme of the 21st annual Brown University / Providence Journal Public Affairs Conference, scheduled for March 4-10, 2001.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Patricia Harrington, an amateur photographer from Naperville, Ill., has been named the winner of the photography contest sponsored by Brown University and The Providence Journal. Harrington’s photograph was judged to be the best illustration of The Dignity of Children, the theme of this year’s Brown University/Providence Journal Public Affairs Conference.

The 21st annual conference is scheduled for March 4-10, 2001, and will feature numerous nationally known experts and child advocates who will discuss topics such as parenting, children and technology, childhood poverty, gender and literacy.

Harrington’s photo, right, a striking rendering of the upper half of the face of a bright-eyed child, was selected from nearly 100 contest entries. She was encouraged to enter the photo in the local contest by her sister, a Providence Journal reader who lives in Tiverton, she said. The model for the photo was Harrington’s young daughter, Caitlin.

“I’ve always photographed children,” Harrington said. “There was something about her eyes in this photo that was suggestive of the theme. ... She has no mouth in this photograph, and children are sometimes left without a voice.”

Harrington said she was delighted to have been chosen as the winner, particularly since it marks the first time one of her photographs has been published. She was awarded a $500 prize for her winning entry. The photograph will be used in posters and other publicity materials for the upcoming conference.

Editors: A digital image of the winning photo is available from the News Service. Further information on the March 4-10 conference will be issued when the schedule is finalized.