Our Speakers are an amazing group of womxn who represent a diverse range of interests and have a passion for HHS’ mission and their own unique causes.
Have a browse below and let our regular content contributors introduce themselves!
Maya Hernandez
Maya is a 20-year-old Mexican-American woman. She is originally from Los Angeles, but currently lives in Amelia Island, FL. She is a first generation college student, studying global politics and environmental studies at Washington & Lee University. She is passionate about intersectional environmentalism, which advocates for justice and protection of both the planet and its people. She hopes to study environmental law after she graduates and pursue a lifelong journey of using her voice to speak up for the people and places who aren’t being heard.
“I have recently pushed myself to find my voice and it has been an exhilarating experience. I would encourage others to remember that whether collectively or on its own, your voice is more powerful than you think, so don’t be afraid to use it!".
Writing Themes: Global Politics, Environmentalism, Sustainability.
Brianna Dèsir
I’m Brianna Dèsir, a 23-year-old lifestyle blogger living in NYC. Prior to lockdown, I was an associate in a Museum. However, due to the pandemic, I’ve dedicated my time to my blog CupofBri.com. Normally I can be found drinking tea, watching K-Dramas, or at the closest bottomless brunch.
“I am passionate about writing because it is a way for me to be heard. Through this, I can not only make a space at the table for other women of color, but hopefully encourage people to create their own table instead of trying to fit in at pre-existing ones.”
Writing Themes: Lifestyle- focusing on the cultural and racial experiences around being a Black womxn, Surviving your 20's
Chloe de Lullington
Chloe de Lullington is a writer and lifelong thrifter, interested in the repurposing of clothes and culture in contemporary life. Originally from Kent, she gained a First Class degree in English Literature and Film and Theatre from the University of Reading and now lives in Shropshire.
“I'm so excited to be contributing to HHS, it's a fantastic opportunity, and I can't wait to see the great work that comes out of the site and connect with other writers! It's been hugely rewarding for me to explore the feminist issues within fast and vintage fashion as this is something I've been thinking about for a while now, and I really appreciate HHS offering me a platform to share my thoughts. If you're thinking of submitting something to the site - go for it! You won't regret it!”
Writing Themes: Sustainability, Feminism through a Social Class Lens, Representation of Womxn and Womxnhood in Media and Culture
Sumaiya Ahmed
Sumaiya Ahmed is a student, published poet, lifestyle blogger and freelance features journalist, aiming to break down the boundaries of cultural stigma and shame attached to mental health and sexuality within the South Asian culture, and bringing marginalised topics to light. She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Poised.
“I write because it is a way to express my voice and opinions, a way to speak up against a society and culture telling womxn to stay silent and quietly endure everything thrown at us. It is so empowering to be able to create a space for myself where I'm able to have my story heard and understood--writing is such a powerful tool, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to showcase my words on HHS. It is important to express your views with the world, to create change and start a conversation--to make a difference. Like Robin Williams said in Dead Poets Society, 'words and ideas can change the world’!”
Writing Themes: Health, Womxn, Cultural stigma in the South Asian community
Hannah Costley
Hannah is a half-Sri Lankan, half-Scottish criminal defence solicitor in Manchester, UK. In her spare time she listens to crime podcasts, enjoys the amazing food & drink scene Manchester has to offer and spends time with her two dogs, Dobby & DJ.
“I am incredibly honoured to contribute to such an amazing website. What a brilliant way to empower womxn and showcase voices from such a diverse pool. I’m excited to write about things that are important to me such as the U.K. criminal justice system and how I navigate it as a lawyer of colour.”
Writing Themes: Womxn in business, Law and Current Affairs
Jess Bacon
Jess is a freelance writer, blogger, podcaster and content creator.
She discusses the highs and lows of her life on her blog and graduate life on her podcast, ‘The Guide to Life After University’. She loves reading, running, dog cuddles and she is currently working on her first book proposal.
“It is as troubling as it is dangerous to expect womxn to fit into one category, label or pursuit. Don’t concede your passions, hold onto them and embrace your multi-hyphenate life.”
Writing Themes: Mental Health, Womxn’s Empowerment, Helping young people feel less along in their struggles
Sophia Kleanthous
Sophia is 28 and lives in London. She is a Disability Rights Campaigner who has been working in policy and campaigning for about 4 years. She loves writing about and working on human rights causes and has just created a new campaign called 'Ableism And Me', which will raise awareness of everyday ableism and fight for the rights of disabled people worldwide.
“I am a womxn. I am an activist and campaigner and I want to use my writing and my voice to amplify causes that are important or personal to me. I am disabled and queer with an undiagnosed chronic illness. I may be in pain every day, but I am a fighter.”
Writing Themes: Disability and Ableism, Womxn’s Empowerment, Human Rights
Sacha Dhabalia
Sacha lives in Bristol, studying Sociology, where she writes extensively about the stigma surrounding female body hair. She is deeply interested in the micro-issues that womxn face, as she believes that 'smaller' oppressions tend to be the most symbolic of how a culture treats or regards womxn.
“I really love how HHS are giving a platform for the voices of everyday womxn. Many of us will often have thoughts and experiences that we wish to share with a wider audience, but there can often be restrictions that prevent us from doing so in other womxn centred online magazines. I love that HHS is open and doesn't stifle your voice, but encourages it to be heard.”
Writing Themes: Womxn, Culture, Cultural Reviews, Sustainability
Mysti Ommer
Mysti Ommer is from Glasgow, Scotland but they are currently a student at St Andrews University studying Biology. Their interests lie in environmental conservation work and they are active in their community as part of their University's feminist society committee and as part of a student climate action group.
“I write because I believe that womxn deserve to have an equal voice, as we have been erased and ignored for thousands of years. The way that science fits into our society is very interesting to me, especially its history and future and how this as social views on everything from treatment of womxn to acceptance of research has”.
Writing Themes: STEM, LGBT+ issues, Sustainability, Feminist issues
Hannah Marie ZT
Hannah Marie is a freelance writer living, working, and studying in London. She is currently focusing a lot of her work on the topic of women’s health, and also has an interest in studying the relationship between women and power. She aims to break down the stigma surrounding women’s health, as she believes it is one of the most damaging to women’s overall wellbeing.
“In my work I have tried my best to write articles promoting women’s health and wellbeing. When I found HHS I knew it was a platform that I wanted to support and contribute to, as it gives women the space we need to support each other in every way we can.”
Writing Themes: Women’s Health, Women and Power
Mikayla Chadwick
Mikayla Chadwick is a freelance writer based in Melbourne, Australia. A hiking and travel enthusiast, her areas of interest are global affairs, popular culture and queer and feminist topics. Mikayla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is currently completing Honours research in sociology. She aspires to research policy reform and grow in her writing career
“I am a Melbourne based writer, passionate about feminist and queer representation and the rights of our community”.
Writing Themes: Queer and Feminist topics, Global Affairs, Popular Culture
Bethany Barrett
Bethany is a third-year law student studying in Bristol but originally heralding from the Midlands. After she leaves University, she is going to be a solicitor in Manchester. Outside of studying, you'll find her baking or at the gym, and she is hardly ever without a cup of tea in her hand...
“For me, writing is about exploring current issues and documenting changes in our society as we push for equality. It's also a great way for me to personally evaluate my stance on such issues- and I hope that, in reading my work, other people will be inspired to consider their views, too.”
Writing Themes: Law and Business, Womxn in Business
