Shattering Glass Ceilings and Painting New Horizons

In this issue, we embark on a journey through the diverse and powerful narratives of women of colour in the Australian workplace. Their stories, rich in courage, resilience, and transformation, weave a tapestry of experiences that reflect both the challenges and triumphs faced in their quest for equality.

Our mission is to amplify these voices, honouring their individual and collective strength. These are not mere accounts of adversity but vibrant celebrations of achievement, contributing significantly to our workplaces and country. Through essays, interviews, and personal stories, we explore the intersectionality of gender and race, offering insights into how these women have shattered glass ceilings and redefined the possible.

This magazine is more than a publication; it’s part of a movement towards a world where every woman, irrespective of her background, has the opportunity to thrive. We delve into the complexities of gender and race in the workplace, celebrating resilience and success, and fostering a broader dialogue on equality. 

We also feature the journey of a migrant artist, whose work exemplifies the rich fusion of cultures. Her art is not just a visual feast but a bridge between cultures, underscoring the power of art to unite us in our diversity.

We also give space to a poignant poem by a contributor wishing to use a pen name because of her precarious migrant situation.  Her poem resonates with a complex yet powerful testament to the challenges of finding one’s voice in a landscape where speaking out can have profound personal consequences. 

 

An enlightening interview sheds light on a migrant woman’s ascent in academia, highlighting the barriers in spaces traditionally dominated by a homogenous group. Her story is a blueprint for change, demonstrating how resilience can shape the future for women of colour in academia.

A compelling essay critically examines the role of Australian museums in representing and involving women of colour. It argues for more inclusive approaches in these cultural institutions, turning them into true spaces of learning and inclusion.

This issue depicts a landscape that is characterised by both systemic difficulties and individual triumphs, reflecting Australia’s intricate social structure. Through interviews and personal accounts, these narratives not only shed light on the experiences of these women but also reflect on Australia itself—its efforts and contradictions in embracing diversity.

This issue is a reminder that the fight for equality is a shared journey. These stories are a call to action, urging us to reflect and inspire change, resonating with the hope of shaping a more equitable future.

 

Jean Claire Dy
Managing Editor
(Issue 3 & 4)

JEAN CLAIRE DY

Jean Claire Dy, a multifaceted Filipino-Chinese creative force, hails from Mindanao, Philippines. Dy’s work spans the realms of filmmaking, media artistry, writing, and education. Currently immersed in the pursuit of her PhD in Fine Arts and Music at the Victorian College of Arts, University of Melbourne, she engages deeply in practice-based research. Her focus lies in exploring documentary filmmaking within post-conflict women’s communities.

In 2016, Jean Claire Dy embarked on a visionary journey by establishing Stories Beyond (www.stories-beyond.com), an audio-visual production initiative dedicated to crafting restorative and transformative narratives that transcend the single story of communities.

Her academic journey includes an illustrious Master of Arts degree in Media Studies and Film from the New School in New York City, an accomplishment she achieved as a scholar under the prestigious Ford Foundation Fellowships Program.

Claire’s documentary, “A House in Pieces,” has garnered international acclaim, securing the Golden Hercules Award at the Kasseler Dokfest in Germany in 2020, and Best Documentary at the Mimesis International Film Festival in the USA. Her expertise and perspective were further recognised in 2021 when she became a fellow in the Connecting Stories Program of the Scottish Documentary Institute, and in 2022, she was honoured as a Philippine Press Institute Grant Awardee. This recognition led to a commission for a long-form journalistic piece examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on indigenous women in the Philippines.

Claire’s commitment to her craft and her profound ability to capture and represent diverse narratives have earned her numerous grants and awards. Her films and media art pieces have graced festivals, exhibitions, and alternative spaces globally, marking her as a distinguished voice in film, arts, and writing.