My Comrades by Gayle Kirschenbaum

As I sheltered in place in my apartment and Covid-19 was ravaging my beloved city, I would often head out on my bike prior to 7 p.m. to find another hospital I had not been to, to celebrate our first responders. It was the daily 7 p.m. cheer for essential workers. This day was Thursday, May 7th. As I reached NYU Langone on First Avenue I noticed a line of fire trucks parked facing the hospital. I locked up my bike and walked half a block to join in with camera in hand. Firemen stood next to one another in front of their trucks. Hospital workers came out and faced the crowd of bystanders and firemen photographing their supporters with their smart phones. Soon the firetrucks and cars were all honking along with people banging pots and pans and applauding. There were so many people showing appreciation. I was moved to emotion. Many of the nurses and hospital workers ran across the avenue to thank the firemen. It was a lovefest. I was so proud to be a born and raised New Yorker. These nurses were so happy for this moment and were huddling together to take a selfie. When I saw this, I offered to take a photo of them. They were so appreciative. It is my joy to share this image of these women who are a few of the thousands of people who have sacrificed their lives to save ours.

Gayle Kirschenbaum is an Emmy award–winning filmmaker/writer/photographer/TV producer/TED speaker and coach. Her films have premiered on Netflix and HBO. Gayle’s photographs have been exhibited in Europe and New York. Her current show, Still Moments, is online. Kirschenbaum’s critically acclaimed award-winning deeply personal film, Look At Us Now, Mother!, is about her journey to forgive her mother and has been credited with transforming lives. It’s the larger version of her funny short film My Nose, in which she follows her mother’s relentless campaign to have a nose job. She has been featured in the media including the Washington Post (“Dazzling self-confidence”) to The New York Times (“Heartwarming story of forgiveness and acceptance”). This has led to her movement called No More Drama With Mama where she teaches forgiveness. Previously, Gayle created several reality shows for Discovery. Her first personal film A Dog’s Life: A Dogamentary, about the positive effects of the human/canine bond, premiered on HBO. Gayle’s writings have been published at Huffington Post, Next Avenue, Newsday and Honeysuckle. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America, Women’s Media Group, The Transition Network, NSA, a founder of Writers on Hudson, and a judge for the Emmys. You can reach Gayle at: gaylekirschenbaum.com or on Twitter and Instagram @glkirschenbaum.