Quiet Strength

Quiet Strength tells the story of three Tibetan nuns and the historic education that converted their suffering into strength, their exile into opportunity, and their learning into transforming their lives.  For the past 30 years, they have studied at the Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute, which has provided a sanctuary for refugee Tibetan nuns so that they are able to pursue religious studies in Buddhism.  These nuns embody the power of compassion and forgiveness; they are role models and inspirational for all who witness their extraordinary growth from quiet, shy, uneducated girls to strong, confident self determined women.

In 1997, Jalene Szuba was invited to join two female photographers (Jessica Tampas and Debra Funderwhite) to travel to Dharamsala, India to visit the Tibetans living in exile.  The purpose of the trip was to photograph the Tibetan Nuns Project as well as the Tibetan Children's Village and have an exhibit back in Chicago to help raise funds for both organizations.  There Jalene was introduced to Rinchen Khando Choegyal who created the Tibetan Nuns Project.  Jalene immediately became fascinated with the nun's story.  Over the past 25 years she has traveled to India numerous times to document their development.