Monika: So, fashion! What do you usually wear? Any go-to styles or trends you’re loving right now?
Joanna: I hover between bohemian and elegant fashion. Lately, I’m leaning more toward elegance these days. Love me a good blouse with a pussy bow, pencil skirts, tailored trousers or linen palazzo pants, button-down white shirts, polos, sheath dresses, midi dresses, and vintage jewelry. In terms of colors, I go for white, black, earth, and jewel tones.
Monika: Do you love playing around with makeup, or is it more of a “throw on the basics and go” kind of vibe for you?
Joanna: I used to back when I was younger now it feels like more of an obligation because I feel as though people expect me to look a certain way. I love makeup I just hate having to do it. If I could just sit in a chair and have someone else do it for me that would be a dream come true. However, over time I’ve learned ways to make myself look put together without as much effort. I put on SPF 50 foundation, outline my eyebrows with the same pencil I use for my eyeliner, put on mascara and red lipstick that I also use as blush and eyeshadow.
Monika: You look like a million dollars. Do you like getting compliments on your looks, or is it more like, ‘Okay, enough already!’? How do they make you feel?
Joanna: I love giving compliments more than I like receiving compliments. Not that compliments bother me it's just I never know how to respond besides saying “thank you”. I grew up being picked on and deep inside I still remember what it was like so while I enjoy receiving compliments I always feel a little awkward about it.
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| "You shouldn’t be ashamed about being a woman of trans experience." |
Joanna: Good question, I’ve lived basically my whole adult life which is at this point is pretty much half my life as who I am so at this point it's kinda hard for me to remember what life was like before or what life was like early on.
I had my sex reassignment surgery a decade ago and I guess the most surprising part might be how comfortable in my skin I feel. Beyonce’s song Cozy speaks to me. Having had such an intense gender dysphoria I didn’t know I could achieve this level of comfort with who I am.
Monika: A lot of trans women are writing their memoirs. Have you ever thought about writing your own book?
Joanna: I have. I’ve been documenting memories, stories, and essays and will eventually compile them into a book. I’m still trying to figure out how I will navigate the aspect of language, should I write a book in Spanish or English should I translate it every page within the same book what do I do when there isn’t a language for something in English or Spanish? However, it's definitely within my five-year plan.
Monika: If you could tell your younger self one thing about being a transgender woman, what would it be?
Joanna: I would say that you shouldn’t be ashamed about being a woman of trans experience. There is beauty in being a woman of your own creation and that you are the heir to a legacy of a global sisterhood of goddesses who self-manifested themselves into existence, women who just like you dreamed of living free as their true self. Own the power in that. No, it will not be easy. You will shed many tears just as those who came before you but in the end, you will know the power of trans womanhood when you look at yourself in the mirror and are able to see the woman you once envisioned yourself to be and know that you built her piece by piece.
Monika: Finally, what’s next for Joanna Cifredo? What dreams and goals are you working toward now?
Joanna: Right now, I’m in school. I never had the opportunity when I was younger to pursue a formal education since I was navigating homelessness and focusing my energy on achieving my transition-related goals. However, it has always been a long-held dream of mine to have a traditional college experience, so I’m currently a full-time student of political science at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez.
I’m currently halfway through, after which I’m considering law school. Outside of my educational goals, I really want to adopt before the right to adopt gets taken away. I love my trans kids but I really want the opportunity to help raise a child in a loving affirming home. And of course, write my book.
Monika: Joanna, thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights. I’m deeply inspired by your bravery and dedication to building a better world for our community.
Joanna: Thank you so much for having me and for the work that you do.
END OF PART 2
All photos: courtesy of Joanna Cifredo.
© 2025 - Monika Kowalska
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