Lena | feminist working as a project manager for communication and strategy in politics, education and economy | loving lesbian with a wife and two dogs, believing in and fighting for equality of all humans | Vienna, Austria
Instagram: @diejaegerin_l and @frauenvolksbegehren
1) THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS?
A little longer than 12 months ago, but still a very special moment was the 8th of October 2018, when the final result of Frauen*volksbegehren, our people’s initiative, was fixed and we all celebrated together. So intense. But a second great moment was in March 2019 when, for the second reading of the women’s initiative in Parliament, we got the large plenary hall and so many supporters came dressed in white (as a nod to the suffragettes).
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2) THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS?
In February, a shitstorm broke out over me after Martin Sellner, head of the far-
Photo: Carl Dewald right group „Die Identitären“, published a video about me. That was very exhausting. I am glad that there was so much solidarity, otherwise I would have had a hard time surviving.
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3) YOUR BIGGEST WISH FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?
I hope that Austria’s future government will finally do something to get the climate crisis and persistent inequalities under control.
To implement the demands of our initiative for women’s rights would be a good, first step towards real equality. #smashpatriarchy
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4) YOUR BIGGEST WORRY FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?
A new edition of "Turquoise-blue" (Ed.: government coalition). This would be a nightmare and definitely push the #backlash against the achievements of former women’s movements forward.
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5) A CONTEMPORARY WOMAN YOU CURRENTLY ADMIRE?
There are many!! Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Johanna Dohnal, who unfortunately is already dead and whom I never met while still alive. But I feel very connected to her. As a child I was a huge fan of Bette Midler, I still adore her. Astrid Lindgren, Greta Thunberg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. My mother, she died in 2014. I think she would be very proud of the work I am doing now.
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6) A ONE-SENTENCE MESSAGE TO OTHER WOMEN?
Believe in yourself, build networks with other women* and show solidarity, always take a woman* with you, no matter where you go.