LOS ANGELES.- Women In Photography International continues its tradition by establishing a list of the Top 100 Distinguished Women Photographers for 2008. Included on the list are photography's classics, Lillian Bassman, Jodi Cobb, Anne Geddes, Graciela Iturbide, Helen Levitt, Sally Mann and Cindy Sherman.

Starting in 2006, to celebrate WIPI's 25th Anniversary, Women In Photography International (http://www.womeninphotography.org) began the process of researching and culling the names of working women photographers worldwide for their online resource center. After two years, the finalized list of the top 100 female photographers was completed in August 2008, and serves as the 25th Anniversary Addendum to WIPI's Distinguished Photographer's Award, first presented to Eve Arnold in 1981.

Selecting the top 100 women photographers involved Googling each of the candidates nominated with attention focused on the artist's body of work, history of exhibition, biographies, portfolios, career longevity, publications, and social impact. The selection acknowledges women starting at the earliest stages of their career to working photographers with twenty-five or more years of history.

A variety of resource materials was used to assemble the list, most notably Dr. Naomi Rosenblum's 1994 groundbreaking volume, "A History of Women Photographers," and photo historian Peter E. Palmquist's 2001 list of women photographers, donated to WIPI's online resource center. The Palmquist Collection of Western American and Women's Photography is housed at Yale University's Beinecke Library. Additional support and consultation were provided by photographers, curators, educators, museums, educational foundations, photographic organizations, and gallery owners worldwide.

Women In Photography International's Top 100 Distinguished Women Photographers list honors the accomplishments of dedicated working women photographers around the globe. Each of the nominees, and the selected finalists, have contributed uniquely to the field of the visual arts. Whether self-taught or formally educated, each of these women were selected for their dedication, artistry, and for creating a body of work that has touched our lives.