Allison
“In order to get past trauma, hurdles and difficulties, one must lean into the negative experience in order to get past the dark times, and see the things that were scary and unbearable at the time were only short term experiences.”
Allison is determined to make the most of this life. She has faced hardship, and knows what it is like to be afraid. But these experiences have helped define her core values like friendship, and community. She is driven by education, whether that be through books or life experience. Allison won’t rest until she has done all that she can do. This is her story.
P: Please introduce yourself!
A: My name is Allison. I have a Degree in Criminology, Diploma in Criminal Justice, Certificate in Police Studies and a Certificate in Business Innovations and Entrepreneurship. I'm a little bit of a wild card, I don't really feel I can be tied down to a sentence or two.
I study Criminology as I want to be a Criminal Lawyer one day, while I work in fields I think I lack in. Education can be gained in experiences, not within a book or school alone. So I've worked in offices, technology, customer service, culinary arts, hospitality as well as within the film and TV industry. I believe in diversification - being a modern renaissance woman.
I don't believe in being defined as only one thing. So this has led me to a lot of loves - writing, art, education, acting, modelling, marketing, small business management, criminology and psychology. I think the ability to be so free and versatile is something I love as I can do and be anything I want. This is something I encourage in everyone, don't be afraid.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
A: Growing up, I lived in a poor neighbourhood. In grade 10, my home was within a 10 block radius of all of the shootings in Vancouver. But growing up with so many good people from a little bit less than ideal circumstances, I found myself involved in my community due to our need to help each other survive. If we didn't have each other, I would have had hungry days without Shud at Vancity Pizza, or been asleep during an arson at my apartment. I found my upbringing to be enlightening, not because of poverty, but because these actions showed me the ripple effect of kindness, love and friendship. Due to these interactions with neighbourhood houses, community individuals and neighbours, I find myself able to be grateful for the little things.
This has helped define me as I've learnt happiness is not materialistic, but rather an emotional value of the people you keep around. Positivity, gratitude and acceptance have been pillars to my happiness. While my negative experiences growing up in a low income household has brought me to be hungry for justice, fairness, equality and education. The experience has shown me the value of learning little things like cooking to the power of word choice. In all, my upbringing has made me stronger in the understanding of who I keep around me brings me up and motivates me with positivity. This is an emotional, psychological and physical value that individuals bring, which money can never replicate.
P: What is one piece of advice you'd give to your younger self?
A: It's okay to be sad. It sucks being hurt, betrayed and upset. But to lock away half of yourself because the negative feelings feel gross doesn't help you grow as a person. So it will be painful, but in order to get past trauma, hurdles and difficulties, one must lean into the negative experience in order to get past the dark times and see the things that were scary and unbearable at the time were only short term experiences. While what you learnt from the experience guides you to a brighter route, better goals and beautiful souls.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
A: Resilience.
Women have a horrible trade in life that a lot forget to take into consideration. Growing up, there are gendered traits which are ideal in men, but horrific if found in women. When a boy pushes a little girl in school, the little girl's needs are ignored as it's how affection is shown at a young age. Puberty hits and girls are forced to have a monthly annoyance of stained underwear and cramps. But when a woman finds a suitable male, they're forced to marinate a child and settle for 9 months of back pain. At birth, women plop out a little human and get stitches.
To be a woman is to do so many things that are extraordinary, but have been normalized due to gender.