The Anonymous Woman Whose Breast Was on the New York Times Speaks

Last week, the upper torso of an anonymous woman appeared on the front page of the New York Times — and caused a bit of a stir. While the woman remains anonymous, she has written a letter responding to Times readers.

The woman, a 28-year-old Israeli, says she thought the photograph “was powerful and told my story.” She adds: “I am a proud, young Jewish woman who had breast cancer, and I have a scar that proves it.”

And:

I am not ashamed or embarrassed by the scar. Most of my breast was not exposed and the small part that was does not make the picture “cheap.” I think it’s very artistic.

She also explains why she remains anonymous:

I agreed to publish the photo since I wanted to raise awareness, but I decided to leave my identity unknown because I didn’t want to become famous because I had cancer. The cancer I fought this past year is a part of me, but it’s not who I am. It’s not me.