Celebrating Women's History Month: Alissa Mustre del Rio
Alissa Mustre del Rio, alumna of the University of Washington and former facilitator, intern, and student board member, shares her story for Women’s History Month. This is the fourth and final post in a special FIUTS blog series that features stories of current students, staff, and alumni as they work to advance women’s rights and social equity around the globe.
Alissa Mustre del Rio
1.) How are you connected to the FIUTS community?
I was an international student at UW from 2014 to 2018 and immediately got involved with FIUTS. I became a facilitator, student board member, and intern. FIUTS was my first community at UW and I hold the organisation and the people very dear to me.
2.) How do you support women’s rights?
I’d like to think in many ways! I’ve dedicated my studies and career to be a human rights activist and an fierce intersectional feminist. I believe education is an incredibly powerful tool to raise awareness and promote change. I have educated myself as well as communities around me about the various needs and struggles different communities of (self-identifying) women face. I have worked with women of colour, migrant women, low-income women, LGBTQ+ women, etc. I speak up when something needs to be called out and avidly support all my fellow queens because when one of us wins, we all win!
3.) What woman inspires you? Why?
What woman doesn’t?! While different women struggle with very different things, we all have to fight the patriarchy. Being a woman in this world means our existence is part of the resistance against the patriarchy and sexism. Because of this I think we (women) are hardwired with resilience, courage, and fierceness that is truly striking and inspirational.
4.) What is the biggest challenge women currently face? How do we overcome this obstacle?
Where to begin... Unfortunately, there are quite a lot of challenges that come with being a woman– general sexism, the gender wage gap, physical/sexual violence, lack of opportunities, etc. The good news is that there are A LOT of women in the world that have the power to bring down the patriarchy. While we may come from different backgrounds, we must all come together for gender justice. That said, those who are most privileged (middle-upper class, white, able-bodied, etc.) should use that privilege for good. The world cannot thrive without half of its population, so we shouldn’t let it take us women for granted.