16R POWER GIRL: Raquel Evita Saraswati

Raquel Evita Saraswati is the 1st featured sixteenR POWER GIRL. Why? Read our interview of her and you will find out how empowering she is. She puts words into action. (Raquel is wearing the 16R Power Girl Scarf)

How would you summarize who you are in 2-3 sentences?

 I’m an American, a Muslim, a human rights activist and writer. I focus primarily on women’s rights and safety (including combating honor violence, forced marriage, child marriage, FGM, etc), as well as issues of individual liberty and freedom, and advancing reform within the Muslim community for the greater good. 

What kind of work do you do (i.e. in the past present).

 I spearhead new media initiatives and conduct research for multiple nonprofit organizations working on the Middle East, Islam, and related issues. In my free time, I work directly with individuals at risk for honor violence and other gender based violence, and with organizations fighting gender-based violence and religious extremism. My personal work allows me to focus on projects beyond the Middle East and North Africa, including in Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United States and elsewhere.

I’m also a freelance journalist and regular lecturer on issues related to Islam, human rights, dissent and the role of women in transforming the Muslim world.

In the past, I’ve worked as a caseworker with HIV/AIDS patients, many of whom were homeless and/or recently released from periods of incarceration. HIV/AIDS remains one of the issues closest to my heart.

What inspires you?

So many things. On a fundamental level, the very fact that I live in a place where I am free to express my views and able to work on the issues I care about feels like a call to action. I sincerely believe that if I do not use my freedoms to help others secure and maintain theirs, I don’t deserve the air in my lungs.

I find purpose in the Quran as well – the commandment to work for justice even in the face of great hostility is one in which I find both direction and strength.

I am also tremendously inspired by the many courageous young women and men I’ve been blessed to work with over the years. Young Muslims, especially girls and women, have often turned to me for support - but I’ve found their bravery, drive, and resilience to be both unmatched and awe-inspiring.

Of course, much of what today’s activists, writers and social entrepreneurs do wouldn’t be possible without the work of the many dissidents who came before us, as well as those persevering against tremendous odds today.

I am also blessed to have a wonderful support network of colleagues and loved ones. It is a remarkable blessing to work with people who understand why I’m committed to what I do and who sincerely support me in my work.

Why is your work important to you?

While my contributions are miniscule compared to what others achieve in this work, I feel like every effort is valuable. I work for a day when young girls and women are free to achieve their greatest dreams, and when their male counterparts are their equal partners, also free to choose their own destiny.

I can’t help but wonder what each individual silenced by oppression or fear could be and achieve if he or she were not fighting so much ugliness. If art were not censored and expression not met with violence, what beauty could our children create? I want the world to be a different and better place for the children I hope to have one day, and I don’t trust our leaders to make it so. We must make it so.

Any misconceptions about being a Muslim Woman you would like to change?

I join other Muslim women in challenging the misconception that we lack the ability and nerve to challenge authority. On a lighter note, I don’t think the world realizes just how brilliant, irreverent and wonderfully hilarious so many Muslim women are.  

What are your hopes and dreams that you are working towards?

I’m currently working on starting my own organization, which will work to combat gender-based violence in Muslim communities, combat extremism through meaningful initiatives to mentor and support youth, and amplify the voices of dissident Muslims and our non-Muslim allies. It’s a slow process, as I’m doing so on my own earnings and in my limited free time. Several important pieces are already in place, and I’m excited about moving forward.

I am absolutely a workaholic, so it’s hard to me to think about goals not entrenched in what I do.  On an even more personal note, however, I realize more every day how important having a family is to me. I hope that becomes a reality. I’d also like to become fluent in additional languages, including Farsi and Bahasa Indonesia.

What are you most afraid of? or What makes you worry constantly?

 I don’t hesitate to admit that I do worry about not doing enough, but I try not to let this become an obstacle to moving forward.  I think when you are constantly surrounded by reminders of the tremendous challenges we face on a global scale, it’s vitally important to remind yourself of what is beautiful and good around you. Otherwise, your own potential can be lost in fear and worry. Fear is human, but we must not let it deceive us into believing that it is more powerful than our values.

What is the place you want most to visit someday, and why?

 It is next to impossible for me to think of a place I don’t want to visit! I hope to visit four places in the next two years or so (yes, for work-related projects!), including the West Bank, Indonesia, Pakistan and the UAE.

My style signature is:

I’m not really sure I do anything all that distinctive with regard to my style, except that I seem to always incorporate some kind of sparkle or shimmer into my look, even when I’m very dressed down. My life can be pretty stressful, and I find that little things like a bit of sparkle really cheer me up.

My favorite magazines and blogs are:

Because I work almost non-stop, I do spend most of my free reading time perusing magazines and blogs related to politics and international affairs, and make a point to read analyses from across the political spectrum. In regular rotation are most major media (New York Times, MSNBC, Fox, BBC, etc), magazines and blogs, as well as many independent publications and blogs. Recently, a diverse group of voices from across the blogosphere (including myself) were featured in “The Future of Islam in the Age of New Media,” an online conference on Islam. I encourage your readers to visit the seminar’s website and find some interesting blogs and publications to follow.

I will confess that I also really enjoy fashion. When I urgently need a break, I turn to Glamour Magazine, which I love. I also subscribe to Allure, Elle and Vogue, log on to MakeupAndBeautyBlog.com, and peruse Aquila Asia for all the best in beauty.

I wear a hijab because:

I don’t believe the myth that the hijab makes men see women for our intelligence rather than our appearance, or that the hijab induces men to have greater respect for women. There is simply too much evidence to the contrary. I don’t cover to satisfy men, and utterly reject any suggestion that I should do so.

 My hijab is something between my Creator and myself. It is a constant, tangible reminder that God is with me, and that has both been healing and empowering in the face of challenges and opportunities.

SixteenR scarves empower women because:

The unique scarves created and sold by SixteenR are a great way for a diverse group of women to express themselves. For example, SixteenR uses quotes and images from all different parts of the globe on its printed scarves. These scarves are one woman’s hijab, another woman’s neckerchief or belt, and they all carry the message of an individual quote or image with them. The woman wearing them decides how that message is shared. I love that SixteenR doesn’t limit itself to being a “hijab company.” SixteenR celebrates the empowerment and expression of all women, not just hijabis.

My favorite sixteenR scarves picks are:

Who doesn’t love the SuperSonic Headphones scarf? It’s too fun to not love. I did really love the now-sold out Tagore Black Pashmina, and, because it is a tribute to my favorite city on Earth, I am smitten with the NYC Building Red Pashmina scarf.

Favorite quote: 

  “They said, ‘you are a savage and dangerous woman.’ I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous.” – Nawal el Saadawi

I also love “Faith is more than my guiding light. It is my kinetic energy,” attributed to Helen Keller.

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Website: www.raquelevita.com

Follow on Twitter: www.twitter.com/raquelevita (@raquelevita)