Izzie Heis as a toddler
Izzie Heis

Hi! I’m Izzie, an English and Classical Literature and Civilisation graduate from the UK! I’m hoping to pursue an MA in Museum Studies in the coming academic year. My research interests revolve around ancient Greek poetry and plays, as well as modern feminism.

In the unlikely event I haven’t got my head buried in a book, you’ll most likely find me listening to podcasts or training my (extremely naughty) puppy. I’m also a keen writer, and love writing and performing my own original poetry.

My dream job would be anything that allows me to share my enthusiasm for the classical world with those around me. This would ideally be in a museum setting, as a curator or collections manager, as getting to handle ancient objects regularly would truly be a dream come true for me! Although I have already had some poetry published for online publications and anthologies, one of my huge goals is to have a collection of my work published in print!

My favourite museum has to be Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. As well as housing one of my favourite paintings, Medea, by Frederick Sandys, I adore the grand and immersive layout of the building and the galleries themselves. My favourite aspect of Birmingham Museum is their popup exhibitions, which often revolve around themes such as feminism, and queer identity and culture. I find it so inspiring that such a large and monumental institution places focus on uplifting marginalised voices through modern objects, as opposed to simply centering traditional and more historical items. These exhibitions truly confirm that age does not always equal meaning, in the museum world!

I personally believe the biggest issue facing girls that I know is the patriarchal struggle surrounding true self-expression. The high standards of femininity in both media and advertising often leaves the impression on women and girls that they must replicate these standards, e.g. by dressing a certain way, maintaining a certain weight, wearing a specific style of makeup. This often leaves women with the impression that they have failed if they cannot live up to these unobtainable standards. A vital lesson I believe for any girl or woman to learn is that the bravest yet most beautiful act a girl can undertake is to express her true and authentic self. Like what you want to like, wear what you want to wear, eat whatever you want to eat, and be your own role model. As Theodore Roosevelt once said: ‘comparison is the thief of joy’.

-Izzie Heis
Junior Girl
Girl Museum Inc.

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