Madonna is quoted as saying, “I sometimes think I was born to live up to my name. How could I be anything else but what I am, having been named Madonna? I would either have ended up a nun or this…”

After reading the quote, I thought about the similarities between both women and began working on the image above.

In the end, like many fans, I ultimately admire Madonna, the artist, because her gospel reminds me to love unconditionally, teaches me the value of discipline and devotion, which isn’t so very different from an earlier pioneer in the revolution of love.

It’s easy to point out our differences, to note what makes one Madonna different from another. The challenge, I think, rests in our capacity to celebrate our similarities, whether it be race, religion, sexual orientation, political views, or two very complex women, simply known as “Madonna”.