Interview with Sarafina Maraschino

Sarafina Maraschino is a multifaceted individual whose journey encompasses military service, legal advocacy, musical innovation, and activism within the transgender community. Sarafina pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in History. She furthered her academic credentials by obtaining a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Sarafina's commitment to public service is evident through her 20 years of federal service. She served six years in the U.S. Air Force, followed by fourteen years in the Office of Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District. In her role as the District’s Tribal Liaison, she developed partnerships between her agency and Indian tribes in Northern California, particularly in the Klamath Basin, focusing on ecosystem restoration, watershed assessment, and water infrastructure.

Interview with Alisa Sarmant

 

Alisa Sarmant is a Belarusian journalist, social activist, and political figure. In 2013, Alisa graduated from the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw. From 2014 to 2016, she pursued doctoral studies at the University of Gdańsk, specializing in Political Science.

 

Alisa has been deeply involved in Belarus's political landscape since 2010, participating in the country’s major political campaigns. In 2019, she founded TG House, an initiative supporting transgender individuals. From 2020 to 2024, she served as the editor-in-chief of one of the leading Belarusian media outlets. In 2023, she was elected a member of the board of Trans*Coalition, one of the largest transgender organizations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

 

Monika: Alisa, thank you so much for joining me today.

Alisa: Thank you for the invitation, I’m very pleased!

Interview with Joanna Cifredo

Joanna Cifredo is a trailblazing transgender human rights activist from Bayamón, Puerto Rico. Joanna’s work has spanned grassroots advocacy, public policy, and organizing transformational events like La Caminata Por La Equidad (The Walk for Equity). As the (former) Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Transgender Wellness Center, Joanna is a leading force in the fight for transgender rights in Puerto Rico.

 

As a beauty queen, she represented Puerto Rico at Miss International Trans in Panama and most recently at Miss Star International in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Joanna’s journey began as a young transgender teen in Central Florida advocating for her healthcare needs and has since led her to testify before the U.S. Congress at just 27 years old. Beyond her activism and leadership, Joanna’s story is one of resilience, empowerment, and inspiration.

Interview with Helen Dale

Helen Dale, an RAF Brat, once dreamed of being a pilot but turned to PR, advertising, and marketing while keeping her transgender identity secret. In 1998, she transitioned, losing a job but becoming the first openly transgender employee at Greater Manchester Probation. She co-founded the UK’s pan-civil service trans support network, a:gender, and earned a Butler Trust Award for her advocacy. Now retired, Helen continued to educate students, offer counseling, and volunteer with Diversity Role Models. She’s also a prolific writer, exploring themes of identity and transformation.

 

Monika: Today I'm honored to speak with Helen Dale, a British trans advocate, educator, and writer who’s played a key role in advancing transgender awareness. Welcome, Helen!

Helen: Thanks Monika!

Interview with Charlie Craggs

If the transgender community had a fairy godmother with a perfectly manicured middle finger to transphobia, it would be Charlie Craggs. Activist, author, actress, and all-around badass, Charlie has spent the last decade proving that a fresh set of nails can do more than just make you look cute, as they can change minds, spark conversations, and fight bigotry one manicure at a time.

 

She started "Nail Transphobia" not just to spread awareness, but to give people the chance to meet a trans person in the most disarming way possible, while getting their nails done. Because let’s be real, it’s hard to hold onto prejudice when someone’s making your cuticles look fabulous.

 

But Charlie didn't stop at nail polish diplomacy. She rallied for a trans pride flag emoji (because let’s face it, we deserved better than copy-pasting the rainbow and a T). She wrote To My Trans Sisters, a book filled with wisdom from successful trans women. And when she wasn’t educating the masses, she was breaking into the world of sci-fi, becoming a Doctor Who companion because, of course, the trans agenda includes taking over time and space. 

Interview with Olivia Hill

Olivia Hill is a trailblazer: the first openly transgender person elected to the Metro Council At-Large in Tennessee, a U.S. Navy combat veteran, public speaker, author, and staunch advocate for equality. Her passions encompass LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and cycling. In her own words, "I get one life. I'm going to do everything I can to live that life in a way that does not prioritize making the wealthy more wealthy while..."

 

Monika: As a fellow transgender woman, I'm thrilled to have this candid chat with you, Olivia. Welcome to my blog!

Olivia: Hello Monika!

Monika: Olivia, first things first - I've got to ask: what's more challenging, navigating Nashville's political landscape or surviving a family dinner with differing political views? 

Olivia: Honestly, they’re equally challenging in different ways. In politics, progress often feels like trying to sprint in a three-foot-deep section of a pool—you can put in all the effort, but things will only move so fast. Family dinners with differing political views can be just as tough because, unlike in politics, where dialogue is expected, some family members can be completely closed off to discussion. That said, I’m an optimist, and I believe that, whether in politics or around the dinner table, meaningful conversations can make a difference.