2016 Honoree

Janet Mock

Author, Advocate & TV Host

“The problem with the old mold is that it continues to keep men at the center. True power comes when more and more women no longer look at men as the standard, as the goal, but look at themselves and one another as the standard. We are the goal, and what we see today is women centering their own lives, stories, and definitions of power.”

What socio-political women’s issue do you care about the most?

Equal access to affordable, sensitive, and knowledgeable healthcare is an essential issue–one where we must rally to ensure that all women and all people can make their own choices about their bodies, regardless of their path, their income, or circumstance.

Do you feel that women are typically presented fairly in the media? Why or why not?

Social media allows people to take back the microphone and broadcast their lives in an authentic, unfiltered manner that enables us to say that our stories, our lives, our experiences deserve to be seen and heard. So, in that sense we–as the creators of our own stories, through our own channels–are presented fairly. But, corporate controlled mainstream media is highly problematic, one that still continues to view women through an objectified lens rather than a media that continues to trail behind when it comes to sharing our stories in honest, sincere ways.

What will it take (apart from time) for women to be viewed as equal to men?

Women building power, autonomy, independence, and voices does not have anything to do with men or being viewed as equal to men. I feel that consistent comparison is a losing game, one where we did not make the rules. It’s about creating a new model of leadership that’s unprecedented, that completely centers us, rather than centers some patriarchal mold. The problem with that mold is that it continues to keep men at the center. True power comes when more and more women no longer look at men as the standard, as the goal, but look at themselves and one another as the standard. We are the goal, and what we see today is women centering their own lives, stories, and definitions of power.

Whatever profession you choose, do men see women as either a female rival with independence and strength, or someone inexperienced that needs to be managed, never as an equal? How do you show your male colleagues that you are an equalwithout stepping on their toes?

On Twitter, there is a deeply informative conversation happening through the hashtag #MasculinitySoFragile. It’s interesting to me because I think a lot of the conversation centers on how not just men, but all of us are trapped by the ways in which we privilege masculinity as the standard of power, authenticity, and strength…and this system is so fragile. With that said, I know my work, our work as women, is not to shrink ourselves in order for men to not feel threatened by us. That is not work I am interested in doing. If my showing up to work present, prepared, and assured in my self and my skills threatens anyone–man, woman, or otherwise–that is not my problem. My only problem at work is to ensure that I am doing work that fulfills me.

What do you now know about yourself that you wish you knew ten/fifteen/twenty years ago?

I wish I had known early on that I was deserving of all things: that I deserved to be here, to be happy, to take up space in the world. I wish I had known that I should be downright stingy with how I spend my time, who I share myself, my body, my time, my talent. I would tell my younger self: be stingy with your time and spend it in spaces that fill you up.

Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges in your life that you think helped you become the person you are today?

My greatest challenge has always been living by my own definition of what I deemed true, real, and authentic. It’s difficult to be your true self in a culture that is so often telling us that we must be something else–anything other than what we desire and who we know ourselves to be–in order to survive. We are taught early on to pretend, to blend, to shrink. One thing I did early on in my life, which turned out to be my greatest gift, was decide not to pretend, but to be myself; not to blend, but stand out; not to shrink, but rise.

Who inspires you the most?

It’s a trio of women: Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. They are pioneering women who have laid the groundwork for feminist, racial justice, and trans movements. They are my fairy godmothers who have enabled to thrive today.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I would have loved to share space with Maya Angelou. I gained so much from her through her words, through the stories and books and poems she shared. To be able to sit with her and listen to her I feel would be more nurturing than any meal.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Ever since I was a child I dreamt of flying. Oprah said very early on in her career, “I believe that it’s possible in our lifetime to fly if you want to. I intend to do some flying.”

Favorites?

∙ Book: “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston
∙ Song: “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston
∙ Movie: “The Philadelphia Story”
∙ Dish: Banana pudding