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Women’s History Month Spotlight: Stefania Tejada

In honor of #WomensHistoryMonth, we’ve connected with some amazing women on Tumblr from different industries and backgrounds to discuss how their perspective shapes their art, work, family, activism, and more. First up is Stefania Tejada (@stefaniatejada), a Colombian artist and illustrator whose work often speaks on taboo subjects women face.

Your latest series, “The Birth of Venus,” explores how women are confronting the world. How did this series start and why was it important for you to create this series?

All of my work is really personal and it’s a response to very specific moments and transitions. I grew up in a time where it wasn’t okay to ask major questions about your body or things you felt that are completely normal. There was this huge taboo about everything: sexual education, menstruation, pleasure, depression, anxiety, homosexuality, etc. I studied in an all-girls high school with nuns so we really didn’t have any sort of sexual education. It was all presented as some sort of sin, and in general, parents didn’t feel comfortable discussing the subject either.

So in some way, “The Birth of Venus” shows the woman that I am today. I think about the girl I used to be when I was very little, very shy about speaking my mind or pursuing something I really wanted. But I’ve been lucky. I’ve met very important people in my life who picked my brain, made me think and understand that I am me, I deserve to live the life I want, the life I choose to have. That I can have my own opinion, that I must speak up, respect myself and respect others. I learned about acceptance and forgiveness. I learned to always stay curious, to work hard, and dream big. I feel very lucky to have my family and friends.

Can you talk to us about your featured artwork and the story behind it? We’re in awe.

This piece was made after Dolce & Gabbana’s statement towards Chinese culture. I was amazed and shocked [by] this way of thinking. For me, understanding other people’s culture is so fascinating. I try to live in different places and learn as much as I can. You need to understand somebody else’s past, present, and future before judging someone.

As Colombians, we have always been generalized for the past. Many of us were scared to try to change things because people were trying to survive. When I was little I remember the Guerrilla coming into our town and the four of us hiding under the bed listening to gunfire right outside our door. The mistakes of a few became the mistakes of all of us. And that happens with so many cultures, but it’s up to us to teach others about respect, acceptance, and forgiveness. It all comes from education.

Could you imagine what we could do if we were to stand together? All of the positive things we could do? There could be a future for all of us. A future we would all be proud of.

We live in a time where it’s important to showcase all identities of women and their contributions to society. How does your art encompass that?

I believe every person is a piece of art. The elements that shaped their personalities, the stories that triggered something inside of them and motivated them to be who they are now—I called them treasures. I’ve watched so many documentaries about people and movements: Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Queen, Obama, The Defiant Ones, Steve Jobs, 2Pac, you name it.

I believe you can learn from anyone. I chose to focus on women empowerment because I had to find a way to empower myself because it’s something I needed at the time and it helped me believe in myself. And along the way women I didn’t even knew started writing to me about feeling the same way thanks to my work. In my mind we are all together, all these women that I draw are part of who I am. Some of them have shaped my future, some of them have sacrificed themselves for us so that we can speak up, vote, marry whoever we want, choose whether we want to have children or not. We owe them everything and this is my way of continuing their legacy. To live a life that has meaning.

Thank you for sharing your work with us, @stefaniatejada ! Tumblr, have you made any art for Women’s History Month yet? Show it off by making a post and tagging it #WomensHistoryMonth.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Kat Rohn 

In honor of Women’s History Month and ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility, we spoke to Kat Rohn about her experiences as a transgender parent. She’s been highlighting her beautiful family over on @transparenting since 2013. Let’s dive into the interview!

We see so many parents documenting their parenting journeys on Tumblr. How did your @transparenting start?

I started Transparenting on Tumblr as both a way to record my own experiences as a (then) new parent, as well as to try and connect with other parents along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. I really didn’t have any big vision for where I wanted to go from there, but Tumblr felt like a great place to share and connect with a wide variety of content, and the community that I’ve found has been really fabulous.

Why is it so important that we continue to show the experience of parents who identify as LGBTQ+?

For one, I think visibility still matters for LGBTQ+ folks broadly. We’ve come a long way on that front since I started blogging in 2013, but having those stories, spaces, and experiences out there is important - especially for other LGBTQ+ folks who are or might be considering becoming parents one day. LGBTQ+ folks often have to jump through extra hoops to become parents, and unfortunately still face many structural and cultural obstacles. Having these stories out there can be really vital for people trying to navigate those challenges. I hear from folks on a regular basis who thanked me for sharing my story because it helped to give them hope for their own future. Visibility isn’t everything - and in this current political climate it can even feel like a liability at times - but it’s still powerful. I also think that the value of sharing these kinds of parenting experiences has value well beyond the LGBTQ+ specific community. I’ve been really fortunate in connecting with parents around the globe from a broad range of experiences and backgrounds. Parenting is full of its challenges, and getting a diverse set of perspectives on those challenges can be tremendously helpful. LGBTQ+ parents can bring a unique lens to many parenting conversations; and on the flip side, I’ve found my own parenting improved by having a broad range of voices and connections to draw upon.

What do you teach your children that you believe all parents should be teaching their children?

I want my kids to be kind and compassionate, to never stop being curious, to be resilient, and to proudly be themselves. I hope that my own identity and experiences help to foster that, but those are things every parent can help to teach their child!

We’re so grateful for you sharing your family’s story with Tumblr, Kat! 

Tumblr, as we gear up to celebrate TDOV, we want to know how you plan to honor and celebrate yourselves or the trans people in your life. Let us know in the reblogs! 

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Kawther Inuwa

This Women’s History Month Spotlight features Nigerian activist Kawther Inuwa. Inuwa works by instigating conversations around women’s rights and empowerment, humanitarian issues, Islamophobia, and racism. You’ll want to read more about her in our interview below.

Let’s start with you telling us a little bit about yourself. 

My name is Kawther, I’m from Nigeria, and I am currently a first-year university student. Reading and writing are two of my most predominant passions, and for the longest time, I have been in love with the art of writing as a means to create worlds beyond boundaries and educate and inspire the masses. I truly believe that as the the younger generation, we need to learn to be socially, culturally and politically aware of not only our immediate environments but also on a global scale. Hence, I encourage my peers to entertain their curiosity and thirst for knowledge, whether it’s through poetry, art, novels, documentaries, podcasts, the Internet, books, etc.

Why do you think it’s important for people to understand the experiences of Black Muslim women?

Solely being born a woman, one is undoubtedly sure to face sexism in a number of settings; at home, school, workplaces. Yet, being born a Black woman, the discrimination we face is twofold, and in environments where Islamophobic attitudes run rampant, Black Muslim women are inundated with triple the prejudice, and their basic identity is the target of unjustified attacks. Within a number of Muslim communities, religious and cultural values and beliefs are wrongly interchanged, and so while Islam in no way endorses racial prejudice, certain cultures that practice Islam do. This can negatively impact Black Muslim women within those communities, wherein their blackness is believed to make them inferior to their non-Black counterparts.

Moreover, when we observe attitudes towards Black Muslim women in parts of the globe that are not predominantly Muslim, the discriminatory patterns that emerge are appalling. Primarily, institutional racism is an obstacle placed in the path of success for all Black women, barring them from landing jobs or getting into their dream schools, for example. Yet, due to the misconceived belief that anyone who practices Islam promotes violence, Muslim women are on many occasions turned down from jobs they are highly qualified for and rejected from schools they should have been accepted into. Job opportunities and acceptance letters have slipped through the fingers of Black women due to the blackness of their skin and the nature of their curls, so just imagine how many Black Muslim women have experienced the same.

This is why I think it’s so important for us to see Black Muslim women knocking down society’s cunningly placed impediments to their success, and shattering the stereotype of Muslim women as docile creatures. It definitely instills a feeling of pride within me to know that Black Muslim girls out there have such inspiring figures to look up to.

How can we educate and advocate for people to be allies to the Muslim community?

Religious extremism has unfortunately become a prevalent headline within the 21st Century, perpetuating the false notion that Islam is a religion of terror. In addition, when certain aspects of the media repeatedly insinuate that the terms “Muslim” and “terrorism” are synonymous, all this does is fuel the religious intolerance Muslims are subjected to on a daily basis. Like I mentioned before, education can make the greatest difference. Rather than condemn an entire faith for the actions of a group of individuals who practice said faith, take a moment to gather all the facts before jumping to conclusions.

The misperceptions surrounding the Islamic faith are extensive. Therefore, being an ally to Muslim communities worldwide can only begin once those misperceptions have been clarified. And I really believe that there is no better way to do so than by initiating conversations with Muslims.  The saying goes that “ignorance is bliss”, but I beg to differ. Ignorance breeds bigotry and pure, unadulterated hate. The inception of a discourse between Muslims and non-Muslims will allow those on varying ends of the religious spectrum to realize that the Islamic faith denounces all forms of brutality and discrimination against any human being, and will shed light on the fact that Islam champions women’s rights, debunking the fallacy that Islam is a faith that supports misogynistic views.

We couldn’t be more thankful for Kawther Inuwa taking her time to educate the masses. To see more from her, please visit her website. 

EVERY PAGE IS BLANK

Happy Women’s History Month, Tumblr! 🎉

For the past few years, Tumblr has celebrated Women’s History Month by honoring women who have continuously shaken up our world for the better. We’ve highlighted prominent women in their respective fields, signal-boosted those who were working for or speaking up about a worthy cause, and showcased incredible artists who deserve to be seen.

This year we’re doing more of the same—just a little bit differently. This year, we’re making a concerted effort to give the microphone to women of color, indigenous women, trans women, immigrant women, women who are refugees, and all other types of women who face the effects of marginalization more than others.

Not all of us experience the world in the same way. Life experiences, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexuality, immigration status, and so many other factors can determine how the world sees someone. We hope our interviews, celebrations, and all the other highlighting we do here on @action will allow you to see what it’s like for someone who may live a life that looks much, much different from your own. In continuation of our year-long #BlackExcellence365 celebration, we’ll be shining that spotlight a little more brightly on Black women.

Here is a glimpse of just some of the interviews and other celebrations on our calendar:

3/5—An interview with Colombian artist Stefania Tejada (@stefaniatejada)

3/8—Observance of International Women’s Day

3/12—An interview with Game Designer Mitu Khandaker

3/14—An interview with Brooklyn-based photographer Miranda Barnes (@mirandabarnes)

3/18—An interview with Mexican-American artist Gabriella Sanchez (@thatnoisegallery)

3/19—An interview with Game Designer Catt Small

3/25—An interview with Nigerian activist Kawther Inuwa (@muslimarmy)

3/27—A Celebration of #MuslimWomensDay2019 with @muslimarmy

3/29—An interview with Transgender parent, Kat Rohn (@trans-parenting)

3/31—Honoring the International Day of Transgender Visibility Day with Kylie Wu (@transgirlnextdoor)

That’s not all. We want this to be a community effort. We want to hear from you. How are you honoring the women in your life? How does intersectional feminism shape your art, your writing, or even how you move through life? Let your followers know what’s on your mind by making a post and tagging it #Women’s History Month. We’ll be looking.

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Miranda Barnes

Our Women’s History Month features continue! Meet photographer Miranda Barnes (@mirandabarnes ), a Caribbean-Anglo American photographer hailing from Brooklyn. Her unique style has been seen in major publications like The New York Times, NY Magazine, Vogue Magazine, Teen Vogue, and so many more. Now you get a chance to learn just what makes her tick. 

Your work in the West Indian Parade series, Skate Kitchen, and Sarae & Sarai is amazing. What motivates you to focus on telling the stories of Black women?

Thank you! It’s important because for so long our stories have largely been told from a white and male perspective and have been the only way our narratives have been told. For me, it’s important to break stereotypes that have been placed on us by photographing us living and working, even if it’s mundane.

What has been one of your biggest accomplishments as a photographer?

One of the biggest accomplishments thus far has been photographing historical and sensitive assignments. The biggest one, however, was my coverage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 50th anniversary of his assassination for The New York Times. It made A1!

How can people continue to support more women of color photographers?

I think it is important to first acknowledge that womxn photographers have been, historically at a disadvantage. This is even more so for Black womxn photographers. However, it’s important to understand the idea behind reclaiming narratives and it’s very exciting to see this slow, but more awareness towards the inequality that has plagued industries for so long. Reclaiming narratives are crucial and I try to view my experiences as a Black woman as an advantage. Support can be as simple as sharing a website, but also buying prints or investing in a photographer.

Give yourself a little gift today and follow @mirandabarnes . Your dashboard will be better off for it.

Women’s History Month Spotlight: Mitu Khandaker

Mitu Khandaker is living the dream. She had a hobby and turned it into a career where she can make meaningful change. As a game designer, she holds a PhD on the aesthetics of interactivity in videogames and most recently founded a new studio, Glow Up Games. Her and her team are motivated to tell stories through mobile games and AI. If you’re into gaming, you’ll want to read our interview with her below.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into the gaming industry.

I’m a game designer, programmer, scholar, and entrepreneur. I’m a professor at NYU Game Center and CEO and Co-Founder of new studio, Glow Up Games. I have a PhD in the aesthetics of interactivity and designing for virtual reality, and I do consulting across a range of creative and technical projects across games, AI, and immersive storytelling

I think that I have the typical story [after] I found out that creating games was an actual job. That actually happened thanks to an episode of my fave TV show when I was 13, The X-Files, which featured a storyline featuring a female “entertainment software developer’”—who, incidentally, happened to be a woman! Since then, I knew I wanted to do that, but the route I took was also typically a little unusual and eclectic. I studied Computer Engineering to Masters level at university (my other aspiration was to build cool robots), and for my final project, I designed a videogame and controller which used stress levels as input. Then I was offered the chance to do a PhD in game design and creative technologies at the University of Portsmouth, and while I was doing that, I was building all kinds of games and projects—from a location-based games startup I worked on briefly, to my first indie hit, Redshirt, which sparked my interest in social simulation and AI.

I was then part of the founding team of a game AI tools company called Spirit AI, until more recently, when I left to start a new studio, Glow Up Games. [Now I] focus on telling beautifully crafted systemic stories through games, mobile, AI, and emerging tech, and, particularly, building games for a diverse and underrepresented audience, by a diverse and underrepresented and underestimated team.

Games are such an interactive medium. How do you think game developers and their teams can create a positive, inclusive shared experience?

Games are indeed interactive, but also, they’re always about telling stories, whether through implicit systems or more explicitly. As always, I think that the key to telling better stories lies in tapping into the wider wealth of human experience. That means building more inclusive and diverse teams.

How do you see gender disparity occurring in the gaming industry? How can we change the male-dominated narrative?

Women have always been in games, but they perhaps haven’t been afforded the same platforms as our male counterparts. We need to shout about the accomplishments of women throughout gaming history, for one thing. Another is to create cultures within gaming companies where, as women and minorities, we’re truly included. For me, as a woman of color, that means building our own structures—one of my missions with Glow Up Games!

What advice would you give to aspiring women who are just starting out or wanting to join the industry?

Find mentors in people who are women or non-binary. Find peers, allies, and find people who will remind you that you’re not alone in this. I can’t underline strongly enough the value of having a good network of support.

Thanks for the interview, Mitu!

 Tumblr, like what you see? Stay tuned to @gaming all month long for more interviews with women in the gaming industry. 

ALL 👏🏾 OF 👏🏾 THEM 👏🏾