AUTHOR FEATURE: Melissa Cristina Márquez
Melissa Márquez is a marine science education expert, currently finishing her doctoral degree at Curtin University. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, Melissa has worked at the forefront of marine science education and communication for over a decade, hard at work combatting the misinformation that's rampant in ecological fields — and paving the way for Latina women like her in science.
Melissa’s picture book, Mother of Sharks (Madre de los Tiburones) is set to be published May 30, 2023 by Penguin Random House.
FEMINIST caught up with the author to talk about her inspirations and goals as she leads the DEI charge in marine science and challenges the status quo for women in STEM.
Q: What is your personal mantra?
MM: Recently, I've started resonating with the personal mantra, "Life happens for you," which has led me to focus on what I can control instead of what I cannot, knowing everything will work out in the end.
Q: What audience do you hope to reach? Why does your intended audience need to hear and understand your message?
MM: By writing this book, I hope to show kids that shark scientists aren't just older, white men! Scientists come from a variety of backgrounds, and I hope to inspire kids - and their parents - with my journey as a Latina scientist. The importance of representation cannot be overstated, and I hope sharing my story will inspire others to pursue their own goals.
Q: What do you hope readers walk away with?
MM: My hope is to inspire readers with the belief that if a girl from Puerto Rico can do it, so can they. Hopefully, I'll also stoke some curiosity about our oceans, as well!
Q: What was the most difficult part for you to write?
MM: Because this book is based on my own experience, it was very easy to write. But this is my first picture book, so I had to learn a lot about writing for this age group!
Q: What inspires you to continue educating and informing others, especially youth, about our natural world?
MM: My inspiration comes from our younger generations! At such a young age, they demonstrate an admirable dedication to coexisting with nature.
Q: Which part of the book was the most eye-opening for you to write about?
MM: The most eye-opening part of this book for me was knowing kids around the world would read it and hopefully be encouraged to pursue their dreams. Making sure I could adequately cheer them on was important to me!
Q: Why do you think it is essential to inspire young people who are curious about our earth through storytelling?
MM: A person must care about something in order to protect it. And to care about a place, often you have to form some sort of relationship with it. But not everyone has the opportunity to explore forests, beaches, or deserts... but they can start doing that through books. Through shared videos and pictures, they can further stoke their curiosity by learning from others who have travelled to these faraway places. It is the youth who will shape the future of our planet, and I just want to show them how amazing our home is, urging them to help protect it.
Q: What makes Mother of Sharks a unique children’s book about our ocean and greater world as opposed to other fiction books?
MM: My personal story makes Mother of Sharks different from other books. There is no two lives that are exactly alike, so every book about a person is unique. Even though the book does not go into the nitty gritty of shark or ocean conservation, it does introduce readers to it at an early age - and I hope it inspires adults to bring the subject up with their children.
q: Mother of Sharks blends autobiographical with the fantastical through incorporating elements of your own story as a shark scientist. Can you describe your journey as a Latina in STEM and why this book serves as a testament to encouraging other young Latinas?
MM: Like many Latinas in STEM, I worked very hard to achieve my goals. To get to where I am today, I've had to go through a lot of twists and turns. I hope by reading my journey in the book, young readers (especially those who identify as Latine) can see there is no limit to what Latines can achieve!
Q: How is Mother of Sharks interconnected with the intersectional feminist movement?
MM: Compared to their presence in the USA, Latines are highly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs. There are several factors contributing to the underrepresentation of Latinos in STEM occupations, including inadequate educational opportunities, discrimination in recruitment and promotions, and a lack of encouragement to pursue these jobs from a young age. The concept of intersectional feminism recognizes the various ways in which women are discriminated against; like many Latinas, I have encountered discrimination due to my ethnicity and complexion. But I am living out my dream despite the discrimination I've come up against in my life... this book is a sort of celebration of that.
Q: What does being an intersectional feminist mean to you?
MM: As an intersectional feminist, I believe women of all backgrounds should have the freedom to live their lives as they choose.
→ Discover the ‘Mother of Sharks’ here
