I love hearing stories about people doing inspiring things. In particular, I’m interested in the women around me who lead projects that are making the world a more sustainable, just, knowledgeable, creative, well-designed, delicious, healthy, and all-round better place.
My new blog series, ‘Five Minutes With’, takes you inside the world of a different trailblazing woman each month, finding out what they love doing in and around London, what’s catching their attention at the moment, and what powers the interesting work they do.
Thanh Sinden is a specialist consultant in equality, diversity and inclusion. Working across the third sector, local government and the cultural sector, she facilitates partnerships, strategic commissioning, audience development and positive organisational culture. She has worked with a variety of organisations across the UK, including Museums Association, Arts Marketing Association, and Culture Coventry Trust.
Which book are you reading/podcast are you listening to at the moment?
A podcast I’ve listened to recently, which I really enjoyed, was The Wonder House. It’s hosted by Sushma Jansari and talks to people across museums and culture about innovative and contemporary approaches to decolonising museums.
A book I’ve dipped in and out of is ‘Invisible Women – exposing data bias in a world designed for men’ by Caroline Criado Perez.
What’s the most interesting film/TV show you’ve enjoyed recently?
I’ve really enjoyed watching Crash Landing on You – a Korean modern drama series on Netflix. Cheesy romance aside, it’s great guilty-pleasure escapism. It depicts an unlikely romance between a North Korean soldier and a rich, successful South Korean entrepreneur. It was really interesting to watch how their cultural, social and political lives were so different.
What’s your best new discovery for more eco-friendly living?
Recycled toilet paper by Who Gives A Crap. They give 50% of their profits to non-profit organisations, like WaterAid, working to improve access to hygiene, water and basic sanitation in developing countries.
What’s your most exciting new food discovery?
Mindful Chef. I tried this out when I struggled to secure any food deliveries, as the COVID-19 lockdown situation made supermarket delivery slots very hard to get. We were self-isolating due to various family members having mild cold symptoms.
We enjoyed trying out new food and recipes – all very healthy dishes. I now know how to make a very nice katsu curry from scratch.
What’s your essential daily/weekly habit for looking after your mental health?
A mindful walk, where I take notice of nature, or a 30-minute jog with music.
Which women inspire you, and why?
Women who lead with compassion, who turn their pain, experience of prejudice, injustice and voice to lead others into making change and things better for others.
There are many women I have found inspiring, from their pursuit of their dreams and achieving them against the odds, to fighting for equal rights and better conditions for others, to leading change for the better in their respective fields.
Women throughout history – those noted and those who have been invisible. Currently, many of the women leaders across the world who have led their countries with compassion, decisiveness and diligence are very inspirational.
Which book/article/video would you most recommend from the past year or so?
‘The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die‘, by Keith B Payne.
Which online cultural events/resources would you recommend?
I haven’t participated in many online things, mainly due to keeping a minimal list of activities that are not direct, day-to-day presence as a parent for my children.
I follow #MuseumFromHome led by Dan Vo and Sasha Coward. They’ve been doing live lunchtime interviews and one-minute object talks, bringing the world of arts and museums to people’s homes. #MuseumFromHome was featured as part of the BBC Arts Culture in Quarantine on Thursday 30th April – it’s great to see industry colleagues bringing their knowledge and flair to this event.
Global Citizen, Museum Detox, Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance, Museums Association, Arts Professional and Arts Marketing Association are my go-to, generally.
Which project or cause is inspiring you at the moment, and how/why?
I’ve seen many causes and projects spring from the current coronavirus crisis. The galvanising of community volunteer networks and emergency giving, in response to the impact of COVID-19 on people and society, has been great to see, and to be a part of, in doing what we can. There are too many to name. However, I think many people are part of something, and doing something in their own way, to support the collective effort in getting through this situation.
I’ve been working with Museum Detox – championing for diversity, equal representation and fair conditions for People of Colour in the museum and heritage sector. I’ve also been working to highlight the mental health and wellbeing work that culture does with Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance and Arty-Folks.
What’s one small action we can all take to promote equality and inclusion?
We can all listen more to the experiences of people who live the realities of inequality, and reflect on what we can do in our power to address this. For example, we can signal boost the voices of those people trying to share their experience, who have not been given the space to share and be heard.
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