Alexandra Rijavec is a Project Co-ordinator for the WOMHEn project at MCWH.
If you could invite any woman, (dead or living) to dinner, who would it be and why?
This is hard to answer as there are many women who I know, ones that have passed away and living that I would love to dine with. However, this being said, I think it would be an amazing experience to share time with Billie Holiday. She is one my absolute favourite artists and has an incredible amount of talent. I would like to listen to her personal anecdotes, and her experiences as a woman of colour from the early-mid 1900s. I would love to hear her sing in person, and I’d hope she’d share some of her secrets about how she has achieved such incredible artistry. I would like her to know that her life and music is a huge inspiration to many in the 21st century.
Tell us about an amazing woman you know.
I will give a classic answer to this question. My mother. She is an incredible woman who has been able to achieve so much by herself. My parents split-up when I was born, and she was a single mum without much outside help at all. She has worked hard while maintaining a sense of creativity and kindness. She is an avid reader; she loves gardening and her most recent hobby is doing pottery – using the hand-building technique. She is always up for a chat and knows a lot about a wide variety of subjects including art and architecture. I love her so much!
Name a book or a film that changed your life.
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favourite books. The imagery that it evoked in my mind was incredible to say the least. It gave me a snapshot of what life may have been like for a person of colour in early 20th century America, the inhumane prejudice that existed and the complexity which was, in part shown through the wide variety of characters that appeared in the book. Unlike no other book I have read, this book conveyed so much emotion and the skilful writing inspired strong visualisations. I must re-read this book, while it’s been a while since I have read it, I still strongly regard and remember it.
Do you have a song/ music that inspires and motivates you?
Music is my passion. I love to listen to music, sing and play piano. I have so many favourite types of music/musicians and songs, it really depends on my mood. I saw Solomon Sisay, an Ethiopian saxophonist, play recently and it was absolutely breath taking. If you get a chance to see him play, do! I am also really inspired by the band Hiatus Kaiyote. Their style is very unique and blends many genres to create something new. Their new song Get Sun is super fun and is a collab with a Brazilian artist too!
Finish this sentence: We need feminism because…
Political, economic, social and personal equity for women and gender diverse people creates a more peaceful and harmonious world.