Team

My name is Frederike and I’m the co-founder of the International Women’s Connection.

I grew up in a small village in South Germany. For a child it was very lovely to be raised in the countryside where I could jauntily enjoy playing in the woods. However, it was also a very narrow-minded environment. I began to notice that during my school time when my German teacher told me I’ve got no talent at all in writing. Thanks to my emancipated single mother I had enough self-esteem to not be intimidated by his judgement.

After high school, I wrote my first report on my journey through Mexico and blogged it. During my B.A. studies I did an internship at the local newspaper and wrote further reports on my journeys through China. My travelogues got published in the magazine “InAsien”. Just before finishing my M.A. studies, I was involved in the publication process of the book “China wie wir es sehen” which includes my first short story.

To this day, I am still writing (so let me tell you something: never let other’s opinion get in your way!) although I’ve slightly changed the substance of my writing. Holding a B.A. and M.A. in Chinese Studies I am now doing my PhD at the Free University Berlin. In addition to that, I work there as a researcher and lecturer. I hold seminars on the emancipation movement at the beginning of the 20th Century in China, contemporary Chinese queer identity and life, and Chinese Science Fiction literature.

Due to my interest in foreign cultures, especially the Asian cultures, and the various cuisines it was very easy to connect with Anh. Appealing to my feminist heart, she quickly had me with her idea to found the International Women’s Connection.

My name is Anh and I’m the founder of the International Women’s Connection. I was born in Vietnam and have been living in Germany for more than 25 years already.

Since I fell in love with Berlin I’ve settled myself in the capital of Germany, enjoying the great variety of food, culture and people. If you cannot find me in various restaurants and cafés trying out different cuisines I usuallyam wandering around taking pictures, participating in events and conferences or travelling to explore the world.

I’m very interested in learning and getting in contact with people from different cultures, nations and backgrounds.

I hold a B.A. in Multilingual Communication and a M.A. in International Communication and Politics from the City University of London.

After my graduation, I joined the dynamic startup scene that directly led me through companies such as Delivery Hero, Rocket Internet and a few smaller early stage startups. My main area of focus were Business Development, Account Management and Product Management.

During this period of time, I noticed the underrepresentation of women in both leading positions and as founders. That compelled but also inspired me to start the International Women’s Connection where women from different cultural and professional backgrounds gather together to learn from each other and mutually empower to succeed.

My name is Sarah and I’m steering the International Women’s Connection in Stuttgart.

And guess where I live and work? Of course, in Stuttgart, the city of “Häusle-Bauer” (Swabians are famous for saving all money to build their own house by their own hands) and vineyards. But what I really love about this sunny city is the mentality of the habitants: They are Doers, people who are nagging a lot but also trying to change things they can’t accept. Probably that’s why we are such a strong industrial and start-up region. And that, however leads to a motivating international spirit with expats and guest workers, cultural exchange and few racism. I’m proud to be a part of it. There are a lot of things going on really good in Stuttgart, but there are also few things were society still has to learn. And one big chapter is the role of women in business.

I am working for a huge car company which is really anxious to support women in their career: There are no unfair salary agreements and home office or flexible working are highly appreciated. But still it’s the opinion from many, that women, who want to have a business career, are supposed to be nothing else than “better man”. However, I think that women are already pretty good and can lead people without pretending to be rough or masculine but with smartness and social intelligence. To be fair: I really don’t think that men and women are that different or one gender is mentally stronger or smarter. But society is creating differences we should be over with.

You need more information about me? I’m doing lots of sports like biking (as fine dust opponent you will always see me with my bike “Erich”) and ballet (yes, a typical girl’s thing and that’s pretty cool). My biggest interest is traveling – but I guess that’s not a big thing anymore, thanks to globalization almost everybody has seen many faraway places.

I am holding my Magister-degrees in Rhetoric and History and I’m working as a training and support manager in a – I know I already told you –  big, big car company. And if you want to know more about me, join our International Woman’s Meetup in Stuttgart – coming soon!