2.6 A Conversation with our Houston Wave—We Are Each Innately Worthy of Respect

Currents: the Big Ocean Women Podcast

Carolina Allen and Dana Robb visit with leaders from the Houston WAVE, Nikki Brown and America Ririe, discussing February’s tenet, “We are each unique and innately worthy of respect” and their many impactful projects.

“If I had one goal in life, it would be to debunk this idea that you have to prove your worth, that you have to have more and be more or do more than someone else to be able to show your value, because that just really isn’t true. We each have innate worth.” - Dana Robb

“…America had this idea, and had this unique perspective on it, and she was able to move it forward in a way that only she would have done and anyone else would have said, ‘Oh, gosh we can’t do this right now,” but she understood the vision and she kind of allowed herself to be an instrument, to be a light for others because she was willing to move it forward.” - Nikki Brown

“I think that sometimes in our lives, like, the things that are our greatest hurdles become our greatest triumphs.” - Carolina Allen

“We always talk about good acts rippling outward, and I think this is such a great example of that.” - Carolina Allen

“I think you just take a step forward and the pieces come together … As we move forward, we’ve found everybody puts in a little drop and it really does collect and move forward.” - Nikki Brown

“With each of our unique backgrounds … just everyone’s unique talents and abilities came together and made it happen.” - America Ririe

“We create so much more when we work together as a team and we all have something specific to contribute.” - Dana Robb

“The exciting thing to me is the fact that everywhere around the world there are women with unique talents and strengths and that the combination of all of those within, like, these local WAVEs all over the world creates something significant, and then all together, all of us are creating something really, really profound.” - Carolina Allen

“We’ve been given those talents for a reason, and if you’re using them for what they’re intended, you should never downplay them or apologize for them, you should use that strength to lift others up as well.” - America Ririe

“I am becoming better at recognizing and using my strengths as I more proactively acknowledge and … support other people in their strengths.” - Nikki Brown

“I think in part when we are treating other people as though they are enough and acknowledging that, then we are literally changing those messages that we’re sending ourselves … the way our brain operates, the more that we think certain messages, the more that we are believing it and kind of subscribing to that.” - Nikki Brown

“I think, to me, that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do, is allow others to share who they are, and we accept them as they are.” - Nikki Brown

Nikki Brown says her greatest joy comes from being a wife of 18 years and a mother of 6 kids! She also loves serving within her faith community. She works as a therapist and recently completed the process to become a Registered Play Therapist. She loves learning, running, yoga, and being outdoors.

America Ririe is a stay at home mother of six. She lives with her family in Houston, Texas and has enjoyed being a part of the Big Ocean Women Houston WAVE. She works closely with Nikki Brown (President) and other local members, to raise awareness, advocate and bring change about various causes throughout the community. Big Ocean Women has become the catalyst in bribing about real change and a force for good.

Carolina Allen is the founder and leader of Big Ocean Women, the international maternal feminist organization representing perspectives of faith, family, and motherhood throughout civil society. Carolina holds a B.A. in philosophy from the University of Utah with an emphasis in cultural religions and philosophy of science. Her inspirational and philosophical work has been presented at various international U.N. conferences. She is a native of Brazil, and a fluent trilingual. She and her husband Kawika are parents to 7 children. She is an avid soccer fan and had a brief career as a semi-professional player.

Dana Robb: Whenever presented with the opportunity for adventure, Dana is all in. Currently, this includes riding the local mountain biking trails with her husband, canyoneering, and climbing the hills of southern Utah. She loves to learn and explore with her six kids. She is drawn to the opportunities being involved with Big Ocean Women provides. Dana loves connecting to a global sisterhood where women’s issues are being addressed through reframing and an abundance mindset.