Priya Ardis
What is in a name? Why call her RYAN?
This is a question I get asked a lot... Here is the answer and I hope it will surprise you.
1. Genderbias is a real thing. We all know this. When I came up with the name Ryan, it was deliberate use for a girl stepping into the role of King Arthur. Throughout my childhood, I’ve been told 'NO.' You can’t do that because it’s too hard. You can’t become a techie because girls don’t do well in math. Well, I did. So can Ryan.
2. The idea that a girl can be a sword-toting savior isn’t new, but when I played with King Arthur's gender, I played with the idea—anyone can be a leader, a king. This glass ceiling is still something we all struggle to break through.
3. I love, love, love Shakespeare’s Twelvth Night. In this play, Viola disguises herself as "Cesario." Viola falls in love with Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Viola disguised as Cesario. When I named Ryan, Vane, and Matt, I created another love triangle and played with the idea who you love isn’t based on gender. It is loyalty, faith, and that spark of something special.
This is a question I get asked a lot... Here is the answer and I hope it will surprise you.
1. Genderbias is a real thing. We all know this. When I came up with the name Ryan, it was deliberate use for a girl stepping into the role of King Arthur. Throughout my childhood, I’ve been told 'NO.' You can’t do that because it’s too hard. You can’t become a techie because girls don’t do well in math. Well, I did. So can Ryan.
2. The idea that a girl can be a sword-toting savior isn’t new, but when I played with King Arthur's gender, I played with the idea—anyone can be a leader, a king. This glass ceiling is still something we all struggle to break through.
3. I love, love, love Shakespeare’s Twelvth Night. In this play, Viola disguises herself as "Cesario." Viola falls in love with Duke Orsino, Duke Orsino loves Olivia, and Olivia loves Viola disguised as Cesario. When I named Ryan, Vane, and Matt, I created another love triangle and played with the idea who you love isn’t based on gender. It is loyalty, faith, and that spark of something special.
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