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Shes one of the most well-known transgender activists on the planet, but Raquel Willis is just getting started.
The crowd didnt get to hear the rest of her speech, though.
Williss mic was cut, and organizers moved on to the next speaker.
She tellsGlamourthat this work is for everyone.
Our values have to be infused in whatever we do, she says.
Its not quite enough to necessarily see yourself as an activist.
I think its more than a title.
That might be a little spicy, but I stand beside it.
When and how did you get the idea to make your story analogous to a flower blooming?
I was in college when I was introduced to it.
Magnolias have these creamy white petals, and I remember being like, Wow, these are really beautiful.
So that kind of idea stuck with me…. Whats the main message you want people to take away from your story?
Who inspires you, and whats the best advice you have gotten, in career or just in life?
I consider myself someone who straddles storytelling and social justice.
I use the wordsjournalistorwriterorcultural organizer,and of courseactivist.
And so I think thereve been varied sources of inspiration.
Youve built your career on activism.
I think sometimes people want to get involved but are worried they cant or wont make an impact.
What advice would you give to them?
When it comes to the activism piece, I dont think most people set out to be an activist.
At least that was the case for me.
And so I actually believe that everyone should be invested in collective liberation.
So if youre a journalist, you have a responsibility to impact how these systems impact our lives.
Part of this series is learning more about successful womens routines to emulate their habits.
So, what time do you get up and whats your typical morning routine?
In general I get up around eight-ish.
I definitely love to wash my face and put on a thick SPF moisturizer.
Im a big Kiehls girl.
So a good cup of joe, and Im usually listening to some key in of podcast.
[Willis is an executive producer for the web connection.]
Those are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Thats my unceremonious morning.
Your first childhood dream job?
My first was to be a pediatrician, but a lot of that was indoctrination from my grandma.
Thats a pretty ambitious dream job!
I knew I wanted to help other kids.
That was kind of the thought in my head.
And I guess somewhere along the way that shifted to writing and storytelling and social justice.
What was your first actual job?
At a library as a library assistant.
I was assigned the childrens book section, so the picture books were always chaotic.
How do you deal with rejection in your career?
Im pretty relentless, so I dont take no easily.
I think that perspective comes from my mom mostly.
Whats the best piece of money or career advice youve ever gotten?
I definitely think finding peers and mentors are so key.
I wish I leaned on folks a bit more.
That would be one thing.
And not being afraid to create something that you feel like has already been done.
If you werent in your current career, youd be a… And then along the way I was like, Okay, were going to choose the writing.
So that piece, I think being more of a visual artist.
Its like youre taking the risk it takes to bloom extremely literally.
The risk Im taking to bloom these crops I planted.
