Your Own Voice: Gender, Experience & Perspective

The second of a two-part series and the final episode of Your Own Voice: Gender, Experience & Perspective Podcast. This episode features Gabrielle (she/her), who identifies as a cisgender white woman, and her journey of being an expectant mother during the pandemic. Gabrielle’s story is an example of what happens when life turns on a dime, and coping with sudden and unexpected change. 

The first of a two-part series, reflections from women around the world about their experiences being a working mother under lockdown during the pandemic.  As one woman told me, “We are all under the same storm but in different boats”, and there is value in taking a snapshot of this moment in time, to hear other people’s experiences and perspectives as we all navigate this new world.  

Lynda identifies as female, and as a mom, a teacher and a musician (pronouns: she/her). Among other things, Lynda shared the journey of coming to accept and support her child, who identifies as non-binary.

Maddie identifies as non-binary and gender fluid (pronouns: they/them).  Maddie shared about coming out, and the feelings that led them to embrace their identity and use they/them pronouns.  Maddie also discussed what it means to be marginalized, and the dynamics that can exist between people from different marginalized groups.  Maddie is a professional musician and touched upon the challenges of navigating gender in the music biz.

Soraya identifies as a cisgender, multiethnic woman (pronouns: she/her). Soraya talked about navigating gender as a writer and an activist, and shared ways people can protect themselves online. Among other things, we discussed the pushback that can occur when women tell their #MeToo stories, and constructive ways to channel anger towards creativity and connection.

A new feature from the 'Your Own Voice: Gender Experience & Perspective' Podcast, Gender Lens Reviews look a popular movies and TV shows from a gender perspective.  This episode features a review of Schitt's Creek. I love this show, both for the beautiful way it handles gender, sexuality and love...and because it is just plain funny!    

V identifies as a black woman, a student and a creative (pronouns: she/her).  V shared about dealing with the ‘angry black woman’ stereotype, and pushing back against the expectation to minimize her presence in the world.  As someone who works in human resources, V also talked about navigating gender and race in the workplace, and ways everyone can contribute to ending violence against women.  

Elle identifies as an activist, a feminist, a woman, and an Arab Lebanese-American (pronouns: she/her).  This interview took place a few days before Super Tuesday 2020 and we got political;  covering topics from women running for office and gender in politics, to women working on the front line of immigration reform. Elle also talked about the importance of ‘building your tribe’ and being in community.

Sofia identifies as an American woman of South Asian heritage, as a child of immigrants, and in lighter situations as a ‘brown woman’. Sofia uses she/her pronouns . Among other things we discussed dealing with anger and gender inequality, being a women in comedy, navigating fear of failure, and what it means to celebrate women and girls. 

Camille identifies as a woman and uses she/her pronouns.  She discussed growing up as a woman of color in the deep south under ‘Jim Crow’ law, and dealing with gender and race.  Camille also touched upon the challenges of ageism, and navigating gender, race and age.