Meet Viviana
Please tell us your full name
Viviana Waisman
Please provide any links or social media handles by which we can have other #BossLadies follow you
Describe what you do (professionally) and how that came to be?
I am a human rights attorney, specialized in women’s rights. I think that I was born to work on social justice issues. My whole life I’ve been asking the same question: why is no one talking about what is happening to women and girls. This is what led me to found Women’s Link almost 20 years ago - to fight for the human rights of women and girls around the world.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I really don’t think I have an answer for that! The closest I think I can get to answering that question is that I try to live my life with intentionality, both the good and the bad.
What is your greatest fear?
That my daughter and my son won’t get to live in world that is more just and equal than the one I grew up in.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Sometimes I get too obsessed about the things I am really passionate about, and I tend to be a bit impatient.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
All the strong women in my life… and the men who support them.
What's your humble brag? The one thing that you really think people should know you've excelled at but don't want to appear showy
I have two amazing children, and I am so proud of the adults that they have become. I think this is what I can most brag about – and not just humbly.
Do you ever suffer from Imposter Syndrome? If you do, how do you overcome it?
More than imposter syndrome, I do realize that I question things a lot, including myself. I hope that this trait helps me to continuously learn and strive to improve myself.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to sing.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Living my life to the fullest and working hard to try to be true to my values.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
The death of a loved one.
How do you feel when someone asks you to be their mentor?
Honored. There is nothing that fills me with more joy than to be able to guide and be part of the development of the next generation of young activists, and feminist lawyers. I also believe that relationship goes both ways and is an opportunity for me to learn from those I’m mentoring, seeing the world with new energy and new ideas.
What traits do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.
Who are your heroes in real life?
One of my heroes is Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She said something that is so true: "You can have all the rights in the world, but if you can't enforce them, they're not worth very much."
How does wearing lipstick make you feel?
Ready to face the world!