Meet Andrea de Lange | Artist, Activist and Social Services Volunteer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea de Lange and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?

I love the quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This is a beautiful concept. By being good to other people, other species, the environment, and ourselves we are doing so much. Our actions, which may be as simple as smiling at a stranger or giving a compliment, create ripples of positivity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Helping professions have always been my jam. In my early 20’s I completed a year-long commercial art program at West Valley Occupational Center. Rather than work in that field, I became an activity director and worked with seniors for four years. In 1986, I enrolled at California State University Northridge as a 3D Art Major, specializing in glass, textiles and jewelry. After graduating, I completed a Master’s program in Marriage, Family & Child Counseling, with the intention of combining counseling and art. As it turned out, art became more of something I did on my own.

I worked with many populations in the counseling/social work field. These included severely emotionally disturbed teens in a group home and special ed. school, adults and teens in a mental hospital, and HIV+ inpatients at Tarzana Treatment Center. While living in Albuquerque, New Mexico for five years, I worked as a Case Manager for disabled and elderly adults, as well as people living with HIV/AIDS. I ran a statewide HIV Speakers Bureau, and was in charge of HIV education and advocacy for New Mexico Association of People Living with AIDS. Sadly, the agency closed its doors a year after I started working there, due to lack of funding.

I was very involved with HIV activism in New Mexico. It was rewarding when after two colleagues and I met with then-Governor Gary Johnson and lobbied for him to pass needle exchange, he did.

I’m proud that I was chosen to present my Master’s Thesis – The Effects of an HIV Diagnosis on Heterosexual Women’s Intimate Relationships, at the XI International Conference on AIDS, in 1996. I was very familiar with this topic. The eight HIV+ women I interviewed had varied stories about their relationships. Some were hopeful and others, not so much. The main thing was they all had choices.

In 1999, I burnt out on social work, and went through a six month, 750 hour program at New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics. After becoming nationally certified as a massage therapist, I moved back to L.A., the following year. After picking up a licensing packet, I discovered the L.A. Police Commission was in charge of licensing massage therapists. That was outrageous enough, but the truly messed up thing was they were illegally discriminating against licensing people with HIV/AIDS and/or Hepatitis C. They required applicants submit doctor’s letters stating they didn’t have either of those diagnoses. This was blatantly illegal because HIV/AIDS is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Police Commission was funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, so I literally made a federal case about this when I filed a grievance. Brad Sears -an attorney from HALSA – HIV/AIDS Legal Services Alliance, helped me end the discrimination. The case was completed a year later, but by then, I lost a lot of enthusiasm for my new career.

The good news was that I got back into art, and became one of the first sellers on Etsy. I opened my shop one month after they launched in 2005; and sold jewelry, items sewn from vintage linens and fabrics, baby bibs and sock monkeys. Punk monkeys became my specialty. I was honored to be chosen to be one of 50 mentors for other sellers.

I was diagnosed with HPV-related cancer in 2008, and my shop has been on inactive status ever since then. Coping with the after-effects of radiation has been very challenging and greatly affected my quality of life. I’ve tried to adjust to the “new normal”, and am grateful for all the love and support my husband, parents and friends have given me.

In 2010, I started an international women’s group on Facebook, which encouraged members to feel good about ourselves, support each other, and strive to live happier and healthier lives. It will be 13 years old in October. Prior to COVID, local members met once or twice a month for cultural events, parties, crafts, game nights, and more. We had a Zoom support group for the first two years of quarantine, which helped members cope with feeling isolated, anxious and afraid. Our Facebook group page has always been a source of empowerment for members, regardless of where they live.

I am most proud of not letting my HIV diagnosis stop me from following my goals. I found out my HIV status in 1987, during my second year at CSUN, but sero-converted three years earlier. In 1987, HIV/AIDS hysteria was at a peak. I channeled my angst, fear and sadness over the fact that my live-in boyfriend was treating me like a leper, into doing well in school and getting involved in HIV education via interviews with newspapers, radio, TV talk shows and public speaking. A highlight of my activism was participating in a successful play called AIDS USII, in 1995.

I’ve had a lot of obstacles to overcome in the 36 years since my diagnosis, including depression, rejection, an unhappy first marriage, discrimination, and health challenges. Luckily, I’ve had a good support system and access to resources which helped me get through these challenging times.

For me, an excellent way to overcome my stress and depression has been to focus on helping others. This has been an ongoing theme throughout my life, but after my diagnosis, it became a life-saver.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

We’d bicycle along the beach bike path, starting in Santa Monica, near the pier. If we were feeling really energetic, we’d ride as far as Redondo Beach and back. While in Redondo Beach, we’d lock up our bikes, and have lunch on the pier.

We’d have dinner at the Studio City location of Miceli’s. It’s a really fun place where the servers take turns singing to and entertaining the patrons.

We’d return to the beach, perhaps Zuma, or Topanga State Beach; then dine at Gladstone’s or Duke’s, while enjoying the ocean view. We’d drive up PCH to Venice Beach, where I’d show them the canals. Then we’d stroll along the Venice Boardwalk, stopping at one of the restaurants where we could people watch while enjoying our meal.

We’d have to hang out in Hollywood, maybe exploring Melrose or the Sunset Strip. We might check out the Peterson Automobile Museum or go to the Pacific Design Center. After driving through Beverly Hills and admiring the gorgeous homes, we’d have dinner at Real Food Daily on La Cienega or Hugo’s, in West Hollywood.

Another evening we’d have dinner at Fred 62 or Palermo, then see a show at The Fountain Theatre.

I’d like to bring my friend to Crossroads Kitchen, in Calabasas. It has outstanding Vegan food, badass rock ‘n’ roll decor, while classic rock music plays in the background.

We’d check out Descanso Gardens, and have lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants in the charming neighboring city of Montrose.

We might go for a hike in the Santa Monica Mountains; off Stunt Road; Dirt Mulholland; Topanga State Park, Malibu State Park, or Sandstone Peak. Coming back into the San Fernando Valley, we’d enjoy a meal at one of my favorite restaurants, Follow Your Heart. They have beautiful handcrafted gifts, a nice book selection, and a great selection of items in their health food store. We might check out some of the cool antique shops and other stores in the surrounding historic district of Canoga Park, along Sherman Way.

If there’s any time left in our busy week, we’d take a crafts workshop at My Creative Outlet, in Chatsworth. Afterwards, we’d stop next door at Spunky Rose Vintage, and enjoy all the wonderful handmade items and vintage goodies.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I dedicate my shoutout to Jewish Family Services Los Angeles. Since 1854, they have served the community of Los Angeles with free social programs that are provided regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. They operate food banks, hot meal programs, transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities, senior centers, provide case management, domestic violence shelters, caretakers for seniors, mental health services, and programs for new parents. For the last 10 years, I’ve volunteered weekly with Café Europa, which provides entertainment and socialization for Holocaust survivors.

I also want to give a shoutout to my husband, daughter, parents, and close friends for all their love and support. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrushkie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StainedGlassDesignsByAndrea

Other: https://www.flickr.com/photos/notablygifted