Shining a Light Through Equality, Action and Strength – Daniella Lopez
Some people are like lights. They shine, and the light they emit summons others. Their light serves as both beacon and guide. Meeting in 2017 through TEDxTinHauWomen, Daniella’s light is visceral. And in this darkest of years, that light is more powerful than ever.
After comparing diaries and calendars for some time, we finally settle on a date to interview and shoot. Given her many and varied commitments, her home seemed to be the only place where all the elements would come together. Located in a new building, her apartment sits above the hustle of Wanchai. It is a haven filled with art, plants and books on travel, art and history.
On arrival, I open the door and immediately lock eyes with a beautiful, and surprisingly large tabby. Daniella sweeps her into her arms. “Her name is Mellie, but I like to call her Gordita. In Spanish it lovingly means my “little fat girl”. Mellie helps herself to the bed and watches us lazily as we choose some looks. Mellie is a rescue cat and came with Daniella from Shanghai.
I think if life were a garden, Daniella would make it a personal goal to seek out every flower and every bud to find the perfect bouquet. Apt that she chooses a floral skirt, complimenting her signature rose pendant.
The hardest part about photographing and interviewing Daniella is that she is a true communicator, and has that rare ability of making one feel as though they are the most important person in the world. Her affability and energy make me giddy and too chatty – with a little too much pep in my step. I am talking too much, shooting too fast, and have to remind myself to slow down and be in the moment. I imagine it is this demeanour, which makes her such a strong leader - harnessing the energy of a group to create something unique and powerful… just like her.
Graduating from university on a full need and academic-based scholarship in November 2010, she relocated to Shanghai just weeks later. What was meant to be a year-long China adventure turned into 5 years.
J: Can you think of a specific memory that crystallised the otherness of being in China? A “We’re not in Kansas anymore” moment?
“China was the most intense culture shock coming from the US. There are so many ways that it’s so different and I loved learning about it. I remember a real “breakdown” moment – which really made me feel like I was in China– I was trying to go to Beijing with a friend. I’d been in Shanghai for a few months, and wanted a holiday. The train tickets were sold out, so we ended up getting a bus to Wenzhou (a 9 hour bus ride). But when we arrived we had misunderstood the Chinese time. It’s the middle of the night, and it’s pouring rain, and… it’s Wenzhou! Which is not a very touristy city that you would go visit. It’s just a really big Third tier [I think?] city.”
“But – I look back on that trip with so much fondness, because I really saw China. Eating hot noodle soup in the rain, buying berries from a seller on the side of the road, visiting these old water villages. Shanghai is one of my favourite places and will always feel like home, but that trip brought the realisation of "Wow, I am in another culture.”
J: You are one of the busiest individuals I’ve ever met
Daniella tries to scoff and shakes her head, but I continue.
J: You volunteer at an animal shelter, you’re enrolled in pottery classes, you’re involved with The Women’s Foundation, you are one of the founders of and still lead TEDxTinHauWomen, but none of these is your actual job. Do you ever feel overwhelmed? If you don’t, how did you get to that point, and if you do, how do you get back to stasis?
Daniella concedes.
“I do. I do a lot. I’ve always been like this. I used to cry if I couldn’t go to school. I was “that kid”. I would be so excited for summer school because I could do ceramics and German classes, and all of these other things. I'd wanted to do everything, and try everything. It's part of my personality to be doing a lot. But last year - I read "The Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes. It’s a great book, but I did the reverse. My year with The Women’s Foundation, my goal was the year of no. I was even running the Facebook page of an Archery club… so random. So my Year of No was very successful - thank you Deepa!”
“I really honed in on a few things that I wanted to do and do really well. It was a learning curve for me. I stopped doing all the stuff that I was doing mediocre and tried to learn how to focus and I tried to pick a few things to dedicate myself to.”
“That - and yoga. Yoga saves me. Before Covid, I was going 4-5 times a week. It helps me start my day off right. I cut down on public transportation so I could have more “me” time, and not using my phone while I walk helps me create present moments and focus on the now.”
J:I think a lot about multitasking, and we’re taught to keep trying harder and do more, but the truth is, humans just aren’t very good at it.
“We can’t multitask. It doesn't work. To focus, be more present, and doing yoga helped me unlearn the myth of multitasking. It helped me not get so caught up in the chaotic moments. And also this great mentor Jackie once told me in so many words, "Just whenever you feel stretched and overwhelmed, just remember that you're not an emergency room doctor, and no one's life really depends on what you're doing. So take a moment and step back if you need to"
“This is especially relevant in times like now, where we have external crises happening. Hong Kong protests, Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter are so present in our lives. It’s very emotional. It’s very relevant to everyone. And that can also make it hard to focus. I would feel moments at my desk, like how I can sit and write this proposal when all of this stuff is happening”.
“As a Mexican American, racism is something I am familiar with and to see the impact of the movement right now is powerful. I want to be there and scream and support and tear down these racist statues. I’m happy that people of colour are finding a voice and strength.”
“As for Covid-19, wow, when it first happened I needed an escape, but there is no escape. The feeling of being trapped hit me hard at first. But now I’m grateful to not be able to plan anything. And it’s key to not to be too hard on yourself. It’s just taking it one day at a time. Wear the mask. Support POC in your life. Be aware.”
J: You have a very specific drive to do so much, and to have already achieved so much in very competitive cities is truly extraordinary. Who was your guiding light? Who inspired you to be like this?”
“It’s cliché, but the true answer is my Mother. She’s a single mother and lifelong factory worker. She was pregnant with me at 17. She was carried over the desert from Mexico as a baby. She’s given everything for me to have this life that I have now. I’m that first generation of leaving the cycle of poverty. I try to remember that she gave up so much so that I could be happy. She was a single mother for most of my life, and was able to send three daughters to school on factory wages. Incredible right?”
I’m at a loss, and very unprofessionally crying.
Daniella continues - “I believe that there's a cycle that you get caught in, it's a lack of education, a lack of resources. Mom would say ‘Just apply, just try.’ “
J: When I started this project, there was no COVID. What did you have planned for this year, and what do you have planned now?
“ I like to jump at every opportunity. I love to travel. I plan my year around my trips. And every year, I try to go to one new country at least. I had a lot of really amazing trips that were finally coming together this year. Mt. Kinabalu and 5 days of consecutive diving. Then I was meant to go to Italy with my wonderful friend Giulia and her family. And going home to see family, meet my newborn niece Delillah and my 2-year old niece Isabella. Those were my three big trips, planned around people and adventure. That’s been hard to let go of. There’s no end in sight to this and it’s hard for everyone.”
“I’ve been trying to hold on to my optimism and hope that I’ll be able to see my family this year. That’s my new goal – give real big hugs to my family in 2020.”
You can see more of Daniella and her incredible career here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellarlopez/
https://tedxtinhauwomen.com/
https://www.instagram.com/danirlopez/
https://www.instagram.com/twfhk/
