We’re incredibly proud of Blue Chalk producer, Eléonore (Léo) Hamelin, who was selected to join the IWMF (International Women’s Media Foundation) on a reporting program in Mexico as an IWMF Adelante Latin America Reporting Fellow.

The IWMF’s Adelante Latin America reporting initiative seeks to reduce the gender gap in the region by giving women journalists the opportunities and skills to amplify their voices and to advance in their careers.  

While in Mexico, Léo, focused her reporting efforts on the current immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border and received unprecedented access to sources and locations.

Léo’s first film from the trip has already been published via the BBC and tells the story of Veronica, a young migrant, who has been able to briefly escape her difficult situation thanks to the excitement of the World Cup.

In addition to working in video, Léo has created an Instagram account where she has been experimenting with an innovative form of illustrated journalism in her project, “Postcards from the Border.”

We have been blown away by Léo’s work and urge you all to take a moment to learn more about the important stories she’s telling. 

If you are a female journalist interested in applying for an IWMF fellowship, you can find out more details here.