Name: Barbara Meulener
Major: Sociology/Social Work
Hometown: Miami, FL
Relationship Status: It’s complicated
Courtesy: Barbara Meulener
Her Campus (HC): Why did you decide to go into the Sociology and Social Work world?
Barbara Meulener (BM): For most of my life, I was terrified of settling for a job that I would unwillingly wake up for every day. When I learned more about sociology and social work, there was a security in that no matter where I might specifically end up, I would be doing something beyond myself for the benefit of others. And that, honestly, is enough for me. I get to be in a field where I can be selfless.
HC: Social work is a profession that really focuses on the wellbeing of others and places a special emphasis on social justice. Which social issue are you most passionate about and why?
BM: Really, there is significance in every social issue that has and continued to plague marginalized groups of people. However, I usually find myself heavily involved in issues that involve and work to advance women. Feminism has become a politically loaded word, but I take pride in calling myself a feminist. And what I love about feminism is its ability to be all-encompassing: women can be found in every single group of people all over the world. There are women of color, big women, Muslim women, trans women, queer women, disabled women, old women, and the list goes on and on, but feminism fights for all of every single one of their rights, no exceptions.
HC: How has being a feminist impacted your life?
BM: Being a feminist has impacted my life because I attained a “critical eye” that I did not have before. It has allowed me to unlearn all the toxic ideals; a process that’s never ending I feel, and it’s given me a greater understanding of people and their depth. It is a little disheartening, I admit, to be dismissed when people refuse to see where I’m coming from or what my intentions are. But it’s a work in progress.
HC: Who do you admire the most and why?
BM: Well, there are three women who have my absolute admiration: my mother, Beyoncé and Frida Kahlo. My mother has never stopped working a day in her life since the moment she set foot on American soil and all for the well being of our family. My mom is my biggest hero; the amount of strength and resilience that is packed up into one human is extraordinary. Beyoncé and Frida Kahlo are just remarkable women who have poured themselves completely into their art and made their art commentary. Both are powerful, independent, incredibly spirited and both are so brilliantly risky.
HC: Other than activism and social change, what else are you passionate about?
BM: Dance. Without hesitation. Well, the arts in general, but I’ve been dancing all my life.
Courtesy: Barbara Meulener
HC: In your opinion, what is the best music to dance to and why?
BM: Oh, this is such a hard question. I know this might sound general, but dynamic music. Dynamic, passionate music. Music that you can feel in your bones and find more than just one emotion in, because the capacity of human emotion goes beyond mad or happy or sad; and music that just speaks to that is the best kind to dance to. But ‘Yonce, girl, ‘Yonce too.