- Entry type: Person
- Entry ID: AWE6443
Lazo, Rona
- Occupation Feminist, Leader
Summary
Born in the Philippines, Rona acknowledges that cultural traditions have played an important role in her life. She attributes her strong feminist convictions to the role played by her mother in juggling cultural obligations with a need for autonomy and independence.
Always a spirited adventurer, Rona’s decision to go exploring at aged 6, led to a serious fall, as a result of which she lost her hearing. As an oral-deaf girl in mainstream schools she endured constant bullying and harassment from peers, but finding schools where Filipino Sign Language (FSL) was taught was a challenge. In time, developing Deaf identity and Deaf pride were part of acquiring fluency in FSL. Many leadership roles followed, representing her country at the World Federation of the Deaf, completing her degree while working as a dancer, and being recognised for sporting prowess.
Migrating to Australia in 1999, Rona added Auslan to her languages. Here, she embodies diversity and understands the cultures associated with each language, but she will not stand back and has a strong drive for equality.
Rona believes that learning Auslan is important for everybody, and that her role is to teach the hearing world to embrace and appreciate the skills that Deaf people have.
Read an interview with Rona Lazo in the online exhibition Redefining Leadership.