While the battle for gender equality continues around the world, it’s comforting to know there are plenty of strong, independent women out there pioneering for change, with one such woman, Michelle Law, doing her bit for the sisterhood by writing about her experiences as a woman in Australia.
Brisbane-based writer, screenwriter, essayist, columnist and TEDxSouthBankWomen alumnus (just to name a few) Michelle Law is most famous for her blog, ‘Single Asian Female’ and her work with brother, Benjamin Law, in their book, ‘Sh*t Asian Mothers Say’, which both provide insights into Michelle’s life, as well as discuss issues such as race, body image, gender equality and love.
As one of Brisbane’s, if not Australia’s most promising and upcoming writer/ feminists, it’s of little surprise that Michelle was chosen to appear as a guest panelist at the first-ever WOW (Women Of The World) Brisbane event later this month. A global phenomenon which started in 2011 by the artistic director of Southbank Centre London, Jude Kelly, WOW celebrates the achievements of women, particularly local women across all walks of life. “I’ve been asked to be a guest panelist alongside Naomi Price and a couple of Brisbane high school students for the 'WOW Now' session, where we will talk to a documentary filmed in the UK by Gemma Cairney about high school girls and their ideas on body image, boys, etc.,” says Michelle.
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“I think the film is definitely relevant to girls and women everywhere and I’m actually really curious to hear from the girls on the panel and the boys, because I’ve spoken at a couple of high schools and there seems to be this perception that young people don’t care about the big issues of today and that the future is not in capable hands, but it’s just not true,” she says.
“For me personally [being involved in WOW] is an opportunity to discuss some really important issues about women and for girls to get together to share their views in an open, supportive environment.”
Having endured her own journey of body image and being comfortable in her own skin, Michelle knows only too well the pressures that young girls and women face when it comes to trying to fit in with “the norm”.
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At the most vulnerable time in a woman’s life, Michelle discovered during puberty that she had Alopecia, an auto-immune condition that causes people to loose their hair and which saw Michelle go completely bald for three years. As a result, Michelle experienced bullying and was the victim of people’s stares, but managed to bravely see the positive in the experience and used it to write about later in life and to help share her story with others suffering from the same condition. “It feels really great that I can help others come to terms with their own body image and I’ve had some really nice emails from people,” she says.
“My hair continues to this day to grow and fall back out again and being an auto-immune condition, it can often be triggered by stress or hormones, so in my experience it always comes and goes with big life changes... I think I’m still slowly coming to terms with it, but it has taught me a lot about change and being comfortable with myself.”
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It’s this strength and courage that will see Michelle feature alongside other formidable, influential and courageous women including The Honorable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Jane Caro and Kathy Lette in three days of empowering discussion, fun and workshops.
WOW Brisbane will take place at Queensland University Of Technology’s Gardens Point campus and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, 19-21 June.
