Personal History: A (partial) List of Light Sources

We’re halfway through our month ladies! 

Have you been celebrating our incredible feats despite cruel odds? Have you celebrated your wins?
We amaze me. I’ve been reflecting on the women in my personal history who’ve wittingly, and not, contributed to my journey thus far. One post isn’t enough to pay tribute to all the sisters and daughters and mothers and cousins and aunties and nieces that have blessed my life. But I’ll try.

To my first sistahs, SHARON, MELANIE, RACHAEL, KIM, CAROL, LISA, and MAXINE, thank you. You were my first arts family. From the creative womb of your collective a new voice was born. From the workshops to the production, the achievement of Sisters remains a seminal moment in my history. A moment imprinted on my soul; a cellular wow. Art is a powerful mirror, but until then I had never gazed in one held by my peers. I saw the possibilities of my own voice.

My creative village in those early days was vibrant and busy. CATHERINE, SONIA, KATE, HENRIETTA, MARIA, JACQUI, TAMARA, TARA, NURIT, JULIE, CLAUDETTE, GLORIA, CYNDI, DEB,… I thank you. We held space together in casting offices and scene study classes. We  bonded on our craft and forged tentative friendships. Some fizzled, some endured.

The transition out of adolescence was a tricky time, I came into so much power while feeling simultaneously powerless in how to wield it. I was getting my sea legs as a model while finding my stride as a woman. There were psychological growth spurts and stagnations with each criss-cross of the Atlantic. These are some of the sisters that buoyed me as I swam in the ocean of objectification; SOPHIA, CHARMAINE, SHARMAIN, ANTOINETTE, ROZ, PEGGI, GIRARDI, BETTINA, MELANIE, JUDY, JEAN, JACINTA, JEHANNE, ROSE, DONNA, ALANNA, TILDA, BAXTER, AGATA, FREDERIQUE, MILANA, MEREDITH, MIKALA…

They say there is a special place in Hell for women who don’t help their sisters. Despite being hellish at times Los Angeles is aptly named. I found angels, here are some of their names; LISA, BIRD, JONELL, ELLEN, KAYLA, MURIEL, IDALIA, CRYSTAL, KAI, GENELLE, MOJEN, LIZA, SIENA, LISA, INGRID, STEPHANIE, KEBE, PHALANA, SAM, SANDY, SANDRA, TEMBI, ALLISON, ANICKA, CHERI, CAROLYN, SUE, JUDY, PAT, JILL, DAWN, JACKIE, FAHMINA, LYNN, KRISTEN, NIKKI, RITU, LISA, JENELLE, REBECCA,CATE, CECIL, CHRIS, ROSE … and quiet as it’s kept, angels live everywhere. Shout out to the NY squad; BRIGITTE, KELLIE, LAURIE, JACQUELINE, NANCY, CAROL, MELINDA, CARMEN, DANA, TESSA, JULIE, KIM, CHERYL, TRACY, LESLIE, TANA, THIA, VERA, TAMARA, JESSICA, AMANDA…Thanks to my yoga and reiki sisters, HEATHER, LYZ, TUESDAY, NEHA, HILARY, KIRSTEN, ANDREA, SURBHI, TESS, ANA… and the improv babes; CRYSTAL, AMANDA, KATHLEEN, JULIA, AIMEE, NICOLE, REBEKAH, NELU, STEPH, LIZ,…of the many more names there are JILL, JULIA, LAURA, LISA, OLIVIA, MADELINE, LORI, LESLIE, FRANNY, DAWN, and of course the first LISA. 

This list is exhaustive but in no way complete. I didn’t even get to the aunties and cousins!
Also my memory is imperfect. The ellipses hold the place for the forgotten names.
This list was a bit like naming stars. There’s a galaxy of estrogen lighting the path, some are obscured and some are undiscovered. Some are newly formed and brilliant with immediacy. You all provide light and I’m grateful for your shine. 
And to my true north star, my mother, thank you for continuing to light the way.