March 4, 2022
ALANA RENE: ”Awareness is key”
International Women’s Day is coming up and to celebrate womanhood, we had a chat with three influential women from different parts of the world. The result was an interview series in three parts. One for each amazing woman. Find out what being a woman means to Alana Rene, Trina Cary and Talitha Hoogendorn. First out is Alana Rene. A mother of two (and one more on the way!) from Australia.
Picture by: @the_millenial_mum
How would you describe the feeling of being a woman and a mother?
”It makes me feel amazing, empowering, important and valuable.”
As a mother, what do you do to raise awareness on equality and human rights to your children?
”There are many inclusive books we’ve recently added to our collection and for me it’s just about having those little conversations all the time with them. Exposing my children to a beautiful variety of people, ethnicities, genders, looks, personalities and really cementing that we are all people and we all deserve the same rights and equality. My daughter is so tough, can hold her own and she’s younger than my son! She has that Leo energy I really want to harness.”
”We are all people and we
all deserve the same rights”
Do you believe your own perception of being a woman has changed from when you were younger?
”100% yes. Without a doubt. Let’s say my teens were awkward and I had little awareness of what being a woman even meant. My twenties were a time of fun while my thirties have been a time of self discovery, healing and arming myself with knowledge and power.”
Picture by: @the_millenial_mum
Do you have any woman related issues that you’re more passionate about than any other?
”This is only something I’ve felt compelled to talk about recently and wants open up more about as i grow and mature. I’m talking about domestic violence in relationships. I was previously in a long term abusive relationship and coming out of this just three years ago has left me with a lot of perspective. I want to open up and make other women feel less alone and I am currently working on how to get more actively involved with this.”
What do you think we all can do deal with this issue?
”I think awareness is key. And i think we’re slowly seeing it more and more. Show us the statistics and show us the images of women who have been wronged. Know that it’s not just physical assault that classifies as violence, but mental does too. Tell their stories through whatever platform you show up on. Women speaking up at early signs are needed. It’s absolutely essential that women are taken seriously by law enforcement and gets treated as a priority.”
Picture by: @the_millenial_mum
What are your own reflections on women’s rights and gender equality in Australia?
”Living in Australia makes me feel blessed. I am privileged to be able to say that I’m a woman and have more rights than many other women in different countries around the world right now. However, it takes all kinds of people to make a world and unfortunately, even living in Australia, I have experienced gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping in many levels as a woman.”
”My mother is a strong force
of nature I am blessed to know”
Do you have a special woman you look up to? Why?
”My mother is a strong, formidable force of nature I’m blessed to know. From running several successful fashion business’s in her lifetime to remain empathetic and nurturing to everyone around her. She is a woman who is proud to be a woman and i’m proud to know her.”
Get to know Alana better by following her on Instagram @the_millenial_mum
Don’t miss our other interviews with Trina Cary and Talitha Hoogendorn!
PS check our other countries:
