sippingkoko@gmail.com
I’m going to be real with y’all, I’m not very educated on all things climate change, but what I do know is that it’s a very real thing. The scary thing about climate change is that it is affecting our community real bad. To the point that we could be losing entire countries. But, did you know there has been research done on the affects climate change has specifically on women? I know I didn’t but there is.
Continue reading “Pasifika Women and Climate Change”
Hi everyone, my name is Aynsley Broom and I’m the person behind Sipping Koko. After much thinking and sending a poll on Instagram, I figured it would be time to share who’s behind the account. I’m a bit nervous because having anonymity has been nice and in a way safe, but since I know I’ve made Sipping Koko about being brave in who you are, this is me. My parents met in New Zealand after my mom immigrated from Samoa. They had a cute meet up and dating story, but that’s for another time. Eventually, my parents immigrated to the States in the 90s and lived in Texas for few years before moving to Kansas where my sister and I were born. After a few years, we moved to Arkansas for my dad’s job, and that’s where I grew up. I grew up in a predominantly white town. To explain the demographic, it used to be known as a sundown town. A place where if you were a POC you would need to leave before sundown. However, there have been changes, and I do love the people there because, to be honest, they became family. My parents did a great job at always finding a community for my sister and I. Even though we didn’t have any blood relatives around us, we were able to have “family” around us. No one ever treated us differently, at least from what I remember. There were spots in my life that were weird like being asked if I was oreo or a little boy saying he couldn’t date me because I was a different color. That little boy ended up growing up to be one of my great friends who I could rely on, but that’s all that I could remember. It’s hard to explain in written word, but I always felt like I didn’t fit in as well there.
Continue reading “#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Aynsley Broom”
Growing up I’ve always admired strong women. Women who spoke out against the injustices of the world. Women who went against the “norms of women.” Women who took risks. I’ve always thought, “That’s what I want to do. I want to be brave enough to do what they are doing.” When I think back on those women, I don’t see any Pasifika faces. They’re mainly European faces. That is until I went on this journey this month. Now, through research, I’m learning more about Pasifika women who have stood up for what is right. Our women are warriors, activists, and so much more. Here are just a few examples that I’ve found.
Continue reading “Pasifika Women and Movements”
Our names are Pepe, Choco, Ola, and Betsy and we are four Tongan-American sisters, mainly raised in Utah. We’ve endured a lot of personal and family issues and wanted something for ourselves where we could openly talk about it, along with other things. We also wanted to be able to improve ourselves and strengthen our relationships as a sister.
Continue reading “#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – The Women of Brown Girls’ Therapy”
As some of you know, I live in Nashville, TN and you could say that the resources and access to Pasifika history are bleak. Not to add to the fact that I’m looking for specifically Pasifika women in history. That’s a hopeless case. So, where do I turn to? Google of course! However, I feel like I’m lost at sea just trying to find one piece of land that has a mountain of information. I wish I was in New Zealand or Samoa or really any island where I could dig to find information, but I’m not, and that’s quite frustrating. I feel like I should be able to easily find quotes from our women, but the thing is it seems like our women’s voices didn’t really matter until the 20th century and barely during that time.
Continue reading “Pasifika Women and History”
I grew up in a large family in Southern California, with three older brothers. My Dad is originally from New Zealand, where his family emigrated from Samoa before he was born. My Dad ended up on a trip to the US in his early 20’s, met my Mom and started a family here in the US. Growing up I was always a creative with an interest in the arts, and working as a backstage set builder and costume designer for theatre shows. Making the move to own my own full time creative business felt like a natural step for me. I now own and operate Afakasi Prints, where I specialize in relief printmaking, block printing, hand-painted murals, and now hand thrown and carved ceramics as well. All of my designs and work are inspired by my Pasifika background and heritage.
Continue reading “#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Amanda Stowers”
In between featuring women who are making change happen, I want to discuss different topics that I think about when it comes to Pasifika women. One of the big topics that come to mind is Pasifika women and film. Recently, I have seen representation here and there of women who are doing good work behind and in front of the camera or behind the scenes. They are telling our stories and putting them in a place that can never be forgotten, Why does it matter? These are just a couple of questions I want to explore.
Continue reading “Pasifika Women and Film”
I am a Transgender Woman of Samoan heritage, I am involved with Runway movement who wholeheartedly advocates for LGBTIQ+ POC (People Of Colour) Creating platforms of awareness and empowerment to those of us that are continually pushed into the shadows. I also am apart of the Royal House of Alexander based in Brisbane, Australia. We are a collective of LGBTIQ+ Performers who have an opportunity to share our stories and lights to our people and empower them to be themselves within a safe space of Love and gifted Talent.
Continue reading “#EmpoweredPasifikaWomen – Sarina Cyrus Leilua”
I have to be honest with you all, I wasn’t for sure how to really kick off this month. I knew the direction and how I wanted to conduct celebrating our Pasifika women, but how do you kick it off? Then it hit me. This kick off isn’t going to be much of a hype up because I feel like everyday should be a celebration of Pasifika women and our community. However, what it will be is a reflection of something that has always been in the back of my mind about the history of women and women’s fight for equality.
Continue reading “#EachforEqual”
In just a few short days, the kickoff to New Zealand’s newest show will happen! Showcasing six Polynesian countries. Plus, if you get the dinner and show ticket, you get to have some of the best food in the entire world. So, what am I talking about? It is PolyX NZ! The Polynesian experience that you don’t want to miss out on if you are in New Zealand or visiting the country.
Sipping Koko 