Interview with Anna Grodzka

Anna Grodzka is a woman whose life is a testament to courage, perseverance, and the pursuit of authenticity. Born on March 16, 1954, in Otwock, she struggled from an early age with the limitations of a world that tried to confine her to definitions imposed by others, embarking on a brave journey in search of her own identity. Anna was adopted by Józef and Kazimiera, who offered her love and support, and many years later, she also met her biological mother. Only when her son reached adulthood, at the age of 54, did Anna decide to undergo legal gender correction and modifying surgeries in Bangkok, a journey documented in Sławomir Grinberg’s HBO documentary Trans-akcja. This step demonstrated to the world not only Anna’s determination, but also her deep sensitivity and the strength of living her truth.

 

A turning point in her public life came with her election to the 7th term of the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish parliament) in 2011, making her the first publicly transgender person in Poland to win a parliamentary seat. In the Sejm, she served as deputy chair of the Palikot Movement parliamentary club. She founded and led the Parliamentary Team “Fair Society,” was vice-chair of the Committee on Culture and Media, a member of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, and part of the Parliamentary Women’s Group. As one of the founders of the Trans-Fuzja Foundation, which advocates for transgender people, she was actively involved in its projects. In addition, she participated in the work of the Public Media Journalism Foundation and the nationwide Women’s Congress. As a member of parliament, she was recognized by Polityka magazine, which in its ranking awarded her the title of “Best MP of the 7th term of the Sejm.” Her social activism demonstrates that courage, authenticity, and daily efforts to make the world a better place truly bear fruit.

Interview with Olivia Hill

Before stepping into the halls of government, Olivia Hill had already lived several lifetimes’ worth of determination, service, and resilience. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Olivia comes from a legacy of community roots, she is the great-granddaughter of Horace Greely Hill, founder of H.G. Hills Food Stores. Yet her own path has been uniquely hers: one marked by bravery, transformation, and an unwavering commitment to justice. After graduating from Hillwood High School in 1983, Olivia joined the United States Navy, where she served as an engineer from 1986 to 1995, including during combat in the Gulf War. Her technical expertise and quiet strength later led her to Vanderbilt University’s power plant, where for over 25 years she took on physically demanding roles as a plumber, pipe-fitter, welder, high voltage electrician, and more. Eventually, she rose to become senior supervisor and acting manager of the entire self-contained facility.

 

In 2019, Olivia came out as a transgender woman, an act of personal truth that set off both hardship and history. Facing discrimination in the workplace, she took legal action to stand up not just for herself, but for others who come out at a cost. That same courage would soon find a new outlet in public service. Encouraged by trailblazer Danica Roem, Olivia stepped into the political arena, and in September 2023, she made history as the first openly transgender person elected to public office in Tennessee. As a member-at-large of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, she now uses her voice to uplift others and push for equality, sustainability, and dignity for all. Olivia’s story is one of fierce perseverance, a Navy veteran, a skilled engineer, a proud trans woman, and now, a public servant changing the face of leadership in the South. Her journey reminds us that visibility is powerful, advocacy matters, and that it’s never too late to become the woman you were meant to be.

Interview with Vanessa Joy

Monika: Today I have invited Vanessa Joy, an American podcast hostess, transactivist, and politician. Vanessa is known for participating in Transcending Humanity, a podcast group of Transgender/Nonbinary/Gender friends, and her Vanesstradiol YouTube channel where she chronicles her transition. A couple of weeks ago, she ran as a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House District 50, but was disqualified from the ballot for omitting her previous name. Joy was one of four transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio, largely in response to proposed restrictions of the rights of LGBTQ+ people. She is also the stepdaughter of GOP state Representative Bill Roemer. Hello Vanessa! Thank you for accepting my invitation.

Vanessa: Thank you for reaching out!

Monika: It has been a couple of weeks since you were disqualified from the ballot. It must have been a bitter experience. 

Vanessa: It was very disappointing, yes. I was caught completely off guard; I figured that if I was going to be disqualified it would have been because I did have enough valid signatures. I did have enough, this obscure law was a complete surprise. It was too many people, really, which is why it became such big news for four weeks!

Interview with Nyke Slawik

Monika: There are certain moments in the history of the transgender community that stand out as game changers or milestones, marking our progress as a community and altering the way society perceives us. One such moment occurred in 2021 in Germany, when Nyke Slawik and her fellow politician Tessa Ganserer made history as the first openly transgender individuals elected to the German parliament. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with one of them, Nyke Slawik, a German politician and member of the Bundestag representing North Rhine-Westphalia on the Alliance 90/The Greens list. Hello, Nyke!

Nyke: Hello Monika!

Monika: It has been almost two years since you became a member of the German Parliament. I guess you must have had some expectations about the job. Did something surprise you?

Nyke: Yes, how little time there is to get everything done. Time and priorities are of the essence, especially if you don’t wanna burn out. In my first year in the Bundestag, I was a bit overwhelmed by everything.

Interview with Divina Loloma

Monika: Today let me take you to Fiji, an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. This is where I am meeting our sister Divina Loloma. Divina is a transgender politician and activist. She is the first known transwoman to have contested Fiji’s General Election, under the National Federation Party banner. Hello Divina!

Divina: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Divina: l am Divina Loloma, a Fijian lslander and transgender woman. 

Monika: Many of us live the lives of wives, mothers, and daughters, trying to forget about our past. You have decided to be an advocate of transgender rights and be vocal about our positive image in society. Have you ever felt the temptation of being in the closet, being a woman rather than a transgender woman?

Divina: I am a mature transwoman with a goal to always make a difference in the ever-changing world.

Interview with Jamie Shiner

Monika: Today I am talking to Jamie Shiner, an American activist, and former politician from Wisconsin. Jamie was the first transgender delegate to the Democratic National Committee in the history of Wisconsin politics, and she was elected in a contested election to represent Congressional District 8 of Wisconsin. In addition, Jamie was the second vice chair of the Democratic Party of Brown County and she ran for the office of the second Vice Chair of the State Party and Democratic National Committee.

Jamie is a 50+ year member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 of Michigan. She operated some of the biggest construction equipment that is used. Her specialty was operating large cranes. She was a CCO Licensed Crane Operator at one time. Yes, she tried really hard to be a tough guy for over 30 years and it never worked for her. SheI took early retirement when she went full time and went into nursing as a CNA. Hello Jamie!

Jamie: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you introduce yourself to our readers?

Jamie: I am 69 years old, born in 1953 in a small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. At the age of 4, I realized I had a body that did not match my inner self. I hid it as my greatest secret for most of my life. I got married in 1978 and had one daughter in 1985. I stayed drunk quite often to bury who I know I really was. I never crossdressed during this time of heavy drinking.