Name, chapter, place of birth, current city of residence, occupation: 

Mona Navarro, AF3IRM Irvine Chapter Coordinator; Honolulu, Hawaii, Laguna Hills, Assistant Manager and member of Coalition of University Employees union

Tell us a little about yourself:

A happy Mona is a well-fed Mona.  Nourishment can come in different ways other than food so please, think outside the box. 

How did you get organized?: 

I was a supporter of GABNet in college while I lived with Jollene Levid, the current AF3IRM National Chairperson.  By having amazing, strong, and intelligent women like Ninotchka Rosca come by your college apartment, you can't avoid being inspired and empowered.  After years of supporting, I finally became a member after graduating from UCI in 2004. 

Why did you decide to become a member of AF3IRM?:

After years of supporting then joining GABNet, I felt very renewed in this space of feminist women, which was filled with lots of discussion, learning, and critical thinking.  I was very empowered with the fact that this education from reading and critical discussions could turn into real political action in this organization.  Joining AF3IRM after having my experience with GABNet was very exciting for me because we were taking on this transnational focus on women's issues and we are the first to do so.  For me, joining AF3IRM meant doing feminist work that is very relevant to women's current state; feminist work, which provides my AF3IRM sisters and I, the very tools needed to fight against imperialism and patriarchy. 

Why do you think it's important that other women join AF3IRM?:

I believe that in order to fight imperialism and patriarchy in our world today, a horizontal comradeship needs to be put in place through transnational feminism.  AF3IRM is the space to do so.

What do you like best about AF3IRM?: 

Honestly, the best part of AF3IRM is being surrounded by kick-ass women that work hard and accept no BS.  It's inspiring to just be with women that know what they're talking about and will never back down.  NEVER.  Try and argue with an AF3IRM woman, you'll regret it. 

I dare any woman to attend an AF3IRM event and not be inspired/empowered.