My Favorite Photo Assignment: Cotton Plant, Arkansas

People Magazine sent myself and a small crew to photograph a lovely woman named Addie Morris during her trip to the little town of Cotton Plant, Arkansas. About a 90-mile drive outside of Memphis, TN. Addie, an African-American woman raised in extreme poverty and segregation for most of her childhood, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. As a child, when she had a toothache, her family would take her to the dentist and
have her teeth pulled out. (She shared this story with me over breakfast). As she got older, she’d take herself to the dentist and say, “I have a toothache. Pull it out”. It wasn’t until one dentist said, “Why would I pull your tooth out? You have a perfectly healthy tooth here. You just need a little filling”.
A light went on inside her head and she thought to herself “There are options?”. Today, an RN and well-educated, she gathers medical supplies, medical professionals and health education materials and returns to poverty-stricken areas nationally and internationally to educate people that don't know they have options. I photographed her
as she distributed medical supplies, screened residents of Cotton Plant for Diabetes, Glaucoma and High Blood Pressure and referred people to medical specialists. She taught them how to give CPR, and incorporate healthy diets into their daily lives. She visited the local Baptist Church on Sunday to spread the word about her health fair, as, most residents do not have telephones. She even did house calls for residents unable to attend the health fair. I was fortunate enough to visit twice. The nearest hotel to Cotton Plant is in a little town called Brinkley. About 10 miles away. When I called to reserve our rooms, the nicest Southern woman answered the phone. “Are ya comin’ in for the Woodpecker Convention?”. Brinkley’s claim to fame... Apparently, the elusive and thought to be extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker was spotted the year before and since has drawn bird watchers from around the world. This town is Woodpecker crazy! “Woodpecker burgers” “The Woodpecker Inn”. When I mentioned we would be coming to town for a photo shoot in Cotton Plant, she said, “Oh, honey. You don’t wanna go to Cotton Plant. There ain’t nothin’ there!”. We arrived late and the only place open was Gene’s BBQ. All the locals go to Gene's, which is really nothing more than a quaint cafeteria. Woodpecker paintings saturate the wood paneling walls. Families of hunters dressed from head to toe come and go. No quick service here. Gene approached our table, introduced himself and presented us with our very own I LOVE WOODPECKERS pins... “We ain't from around these parts and us big city folk & all” now have an open invitation to return anytime. Gene is now my favorite person on Brinkley and I spent the next four days breakfast, lunch & dinner there. Brinkley was great. Not only are they Woodpecker crazy, but, they are the duck hunting capital of the world and also the wedding-dress-store-extravaganza-of-the-world”.

Cotton Plant is incredible and really, a different story someday. I will never forget this assignment and from here I will let the images speak for themselves. If you care to investigate, the history of Cotton Plant is very interesting. The people are so kind and graciously opened their homes to strangers, not allowing us to leave until we were friends. Puppies, broken televisions and the love of family and friends bring smiles to their faces. I assure you that there is hope, happiness and beauty to be found anywhere, if you take a moment to look for it. I could travel the world for the rest of my life and always find something small to get excited about. I hope that will never change.

Cotton Plant:
Population: Under 800 as of July 2009
Avg. Income $9,000-$12,400