Q: What is your role with the AGA?
I am the Digital Programs Assistant and an Educator here at the AGA! As the Digital Programs Assistant, I facilitate and film our #AGAlive programs and create video and audio content as well as an assortment of other things. As an Educator, I deliver programs, tours and art classes.
Q: Have you experienced discrimination or prejudice?
Yes. As a Chinese-Canadian woman, discrimination is something I’ve experienced for most of my life.
Q: How would you describe women in one word?
Powerful.
Q: Theme question: What way do you think you are helping to break the bias around gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping in your environment?
I am helping break the bias in my environment through representation. I think representation in roles that are not primarily or traditionally held by women is important to breaking stereotypes. For example, photography and videography is still a pretty male-dominated field. I am the person behind the camera for all #AGAlive programs, and I think a lot of the people watching assume I’m a man and refer to me as such. Another way to break biases is to just listen to the stories and lived experiences of others. I feel lucky to be surrounded and uplifted by my many supportive and talented female coworkers at the AGA. There’s a lot of value that comes from sharing our experiences with each other.
Q: What part of your role do you enjoy the most?
The variety of things I get to do! In my dual roles at the AGA. I get to utilize and practice my multiple passions while also learning new things on a regular basis.
Q: Who is the woman who inspired you in your life and why?
My mom! My parents are immigrants and have been running the same Chinese restaurant in my small B.C. hometown since I was born. By the time she was my current age, my mother and my father had already packed up their life in China and moved to Canada, which is something I cannot fathom doing. Their work ethic and success inspire me to do better every day.
Q: What kind of world you would like to see for women in arts and culture?
I would like to see a world where passions are encouraged and ideas are seen as valid. A world where women are not afraid to try new things and have the resources to learn and build creative skills. A world where women are not afraid of taking up space.
Q: What hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy playing video games in my free time! It’s a fantastic medium to experience interactive stories with beautifully crafted worlds and characters.