Lisset
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society?
Even though our society has been evolving and molding to the new times, women in Mexico are still expected to get married and have children. Once you do have children, we’re expected to leave all our dreams and career behind in order to take care of our husband, children and house.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
I think that the most significant barrier to us, women empowerment, and gender equality is our insecurities. Sometimes, we have all the chances and opportunities in life to pursue our dreams but all the stereotypes in society pull as back, and with that, we tend to believe that we all have a place in this world and that if for so long women have stayed where they are without going out there to do what we really want to, then it’s because it’s our place to be. So we become afraid of breaking with those stereotypes, which blocks us from breaking that barrier.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
I am a daughter, a sister and a friend, I was born and raised in Mexico. But now I’m currently studying in Shanghai, China where I’m pursuing my Bachelor's degree in fashion innovation. I believe that we all should have a chance to succeed in life, but I also believe that life is not easy, and if we want to succeed, we should fight for what we want and what we deserve. With my career I hope to reach out to those with no voice and be not only an inspiration but a hand in help to those who need and want it.
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... capable.
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?
I am most passionate about creating and helping others create. I like to make new things out of nowhere! I am currently studying to be able to create great things in the future to cause a positive impact on the world. In helping others to create, I like to listen and get close to people in order to help out and to walk together.
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
The most notable event in my life has been the loss of my grandpa when I was 17 - he was a very important figure in my life and that took me very long to overcome. Another major event was taking the decision to study abroad in China, which has a completely different culture from Mexico and moving out of my parents’ house at the age of 19 which is rarely common in my culture. Also, recently I had a total thyroidectomy which kept me away from returning to China to continue my studies and pursue my dream of innovating in the fashion industry.
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
I faced the obstacle of adapting to a new culture and language when I moved from Mexico to China. And having my full thyroid removed because of a tumour (after a biopsy doctors where uncertain of its malignity but thankfully it was a benign tumour).
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
The female public figure that most inspires me is Amelia Earhart because she was capable of overcoming the prejudice of society towards women aviators and went out to pursue her dream of flying. She makes me think and wonder how the world would be if more women had her mindset and what I could be capable of if I as well thought more like her.
What's your definition of success?
My definition of success is feeling full and happy with ourselves while making something good and remarkable.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
The women and girls around me have helped me by being an example. During school, I had all these súper intelligent friends and they were all very good at what they liked. I never really knew what I wanted to do in life until after I took a gap year, but I saw all these girls so centred in their lives, and so sure about themselves - it was a big inspiration for me. Also, my teachers and my mom and aunts - they’ve always pushed me to be someone and have shown me that everyone is callable of something. Besides them, the religious women figures in my life have helped me and taught me the greatness there is in helping others and, that if life gave me so much, it is because I should give even more to others especially the ones that need it.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."
To be a girl or a woman today is to be capable of change and empowerment. We are here to make a difference and to break down all the barriers that society has built for us, in order for the future generations of girls and women to become even greater than what we could be and what we already are.