How did family shape your perception of strength?When I think of the word strength, the first thing that comes to mind is my family. Particularly my mom and my bachan (grandma). My bachan spent her high school years in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. After the war and her release, she endured more discrimination and the only job she was able to maintain was working as a housekeeper for a wealthy white family. Since then, she has built her life up and raised four strong children who all went on to start businesses, become doctors, and go to graduate school. I don't think her kids would be in the same position if they hadn't been raised by such an admirable person who pushed them to value their education- because she was not afforded those same privileges in her childhood/young adulthood.
What keeps you strong in times of trial? My older sister, Tiana. As an adult I try to find other outlets so I'm not 100% leaning on Tiana- I'll talk to close friends, my partner, journal, spend time with myself. But since literally day one Tiana has looked after me and has supported me. Over the years she's written to me in times of need, and sometimes I'll just reread the letters she's given me and they make me feel better. She makes me feel valued and loved, which always gives me a feeling of strength!
Who is a female role model in your life and why? My mom. She is the hardest worker I know and I have not once heard her complain. She recently retired, but her entire career was dedicated to creating programs that help victims and survivors of sexual assault. She worked for a non-profit organization that provided services for those who have been sexually abused, these services in many cases, saved lives. In times of crisis, my mom always keeps a level head and thinks about solutions. She is calm, creative, and incredibly loving. I will always look up to my mom as a strong role model.
What advice would you give to the next generation of strong women? In 1976, historian Laurel Thatchel Ulrich wrote that "well behaved women seldom make history". Our society sets expectations on women, and I think in order to be a strong women, you have to break those rules to a certain extent (especially because society often equates femininity to weakness, so by being a strong women, you're already breaking the rules!). I suggest the next generation to challenge the system and lean on other women along the way - it's good to question the expectations from time to time, because chances are, they were created by someone who didn't have you in mind.
Micheii’s Intentional Act of Kindness
How did you use the $100? I gave the money to a close friend I met during makeup school years ago. I had plans to donate the money in various ways, but the day after I received the $100, I spent the night at a close friend's apartment. She cooked a beautiful dinner for me and when we were chatting she mentioned how she is living paycheck to paycheck, and how stressful it is. A little backstory - She recently moved out of her parents place to her own apartment. A week after she moved out, she lost her esthetician job at a spa. She was able to get a new job, but she lost all of her clients due to a non-compete contract. Now she has to rebuild her clientele in order to make any money. It felt serendipitous to have the $100 in my purse as she was telling me her financial burdens.
What was the 'Intentional Act of Kindness' process like for you? I loved it! Especially since I gave the money to a close friend, it felt so good to see how it affected her. It was a good reminder that everything is relative, currently, $100 doesn't feel significant to me personally, but it brought tears to my friend's eyes and really impacted her day. It was a true gift to be able to help out someone so important to me.