Inspiring Women Fall 2017

distant future where, after years of drought,
states in the American southwest have
formed their own militias and shut down their
borders in order to control and protect the
scarce water resources they have left. I liked
it because it takes seriously our present
threats and follows them to a possible
nightmarish scenario. It’s a great reminder
that our actions today impact not only
ourselves but also future generations!
If you could meet one famous or influential
woman, alive or dead, who would it be and
why? I would like to meet with Anita
Sarkeesian, a media critic who I admire for
her fearlessness in standing up to misogyny in
video game culture and online harassment.
I’d like to talk to her about how she remains
motivated and hopeful in the battle against
institutionalized sexism and racism.
What personal motto do you live by and how
does it affect what you do/don’t do? Right
now it’s “Don’t be afraid to be speak up
about what you want.” This has taken me a
long time to learn because for a long time I
felt embarrassed to admit that I wasn’t where
I wanted to be in life and was weighed down
by superficial expectations of what success
looked like. Especially in a reserved culture
such as Sweden, being able to express your
goals and ask for help in achieving them can
be extremely intimidating. But it’s important
not to let fear dictate your life. Instead we
should be kind to ourselves by showing a bit
of vulnerability in order to allow others to help
show the way forward. The more you do it,
the easier it gets!
Inspiration from Switzerland
My name is Elizabeth López-Rigaudeau and I am a member of
the American Women’s Club of Zurich, Switzerland. I have lived
in Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Mexico City, and Düsseldorf and
now reside in Zurich. I was born and raised in New York City
and am of Puerto Rican descent. English and Spanish are my
mother tongues and I also speak French and German.
I have been a member of the AWC Zurich FAWCO committee
since 2008, Chair of PhASE, co-Chair of Member to Member
Care Team, Nominating Committee Chair, Exec VP and VP
Member Relations & Activities. Over the years I also started
several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the club's social
and local charitable outreach, namely PhASE (Philanthropy
and Social Engagement,) which began our Club Sponsored
Charity effort, and Member to Member Care Team designed
to provide our members with short term support during
unforeseen circumstances. Both of these initiatives continue.
My journey in the world of education started quite accidentally on the day I attended a
sponsored walk in Zurich for the Rainbows4children (R4C) foundation, co-founded by Kathryn
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