Becoming Wonder Woman Katy
~ my superhero journey ~​

The diagnosis of breast cancer was heart wrenching. My breasts had nurtured two boys, defined my femininity, and now they were gone. I felt like I had been stripped of my magic powers. My sons were 3 and 6 at the time. I came to an understanding that chemo gave me a superpower to fight off getting cancer again.

​During my recovery, I read books with my sons about Wonder Woman - whom I had idolized as a TV character while growing up - and identified with this superhero.

To me, Wonder Woman is what a woman should be: beautiful, strong and caring. Walking into the surgery room on my 40th birthday, I was wearing a tiara in my new pixie haircut and a prayer shawl over my shoulders. Those costume pieces have turned into a superhero cape and crown.

Summer 2009, just three months before Katy's breast cancer diagnosis, Katy's sons loved playing superheroes: Louis the Amazing Amphibian (6 years old) and Maxwell the Flyin' Lion (3 years old).

The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis honored Louis and Maxwell in 2011, naming them Young Heroes, recognizing how they faced their mama's breast cancer with the courage only a true-to-life hero has.

I have fought the battle of my life and won. Finishing the fight with children who stayed optimistic gave me the courage to have confidence in being victorious.

When Barbara Porwit told me about her idea for painting breast cancer survivors as superheroes I had an Aha moment. After surgeries and treatments, I felt like a superhero and I knew Barbara would bring her out onto canvas beautifully. During the process, I enjoyed talking with Barbara as she respectfully made suggestions to make adjustments to our original plan. She altered my conservative costume to have an embellished golden eagle on the breast, more reflective to the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman, whom I admire. Barbara changed my black boots into red and white kickin’ ass boots and adorned my crown with the breast cancer awareness pink ribbon, a silent statement saying a cure for breast cancer needs to be found.

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My personal story is very similar to others’ cancer journeys - basically, it’s just plain awful. I trust the seven-foot tall painting by Barbara Porwit tells her own story, one that’s very relatable to anyone going through a struggle. I believe the portrait of Wonder Woman Katy has magic powers - she conjures strength in those who’ve lost theirs. Her alluring stare tells the viewer “You got this” and encourages people to keep up the fight.

Click on the image below to view the news story

University of Minnesota The Wake Magazine: Real-Life Wonder Woman - the story behind the painting

Redbook: Breast Cancer Survivors Portrayed As Superheroes In Powerful Portrait Series

Women You Should Know: Breast Cancer Warriors Immortalized As Superheroes

Minnesota Women's Press: Bam! Pow! Superheroes!