@LunarLibby is a 3-D animation student who loves anime, Disney, Star Wars, and video games — and you’ll mostly find her streaming art or Genshin Impact. The BroadcastHER Student Scholarship recipient also loves supporting different charities, foundations, and organizations through streaming.

What is your dream as a digital broadcaster?

My biggest dream as a broadcaster is to become a big enough creator to raise funds for a charity that I’m really passionate about — and have Twitch match the funds. I’ve seen amazing creators have this opportunity and I’d love my community to experience that. As a 3-D animation student, I also dream of creating a video game that I could play on stream — even if it’s a small game!

How will the BroadcastHER Student Scholarship from the 1,000 Dreams Fund help you reach your goals?

The computer I currently have runs on a processor that sadly doesn’t support some aspects of Maya, which I need in order to complete schoolwork and personal projects — including my own video game. This has been a huge challenge and I’ve had to constantly transfer my work to my dad’s computer to complete it. I’ll be moving in a few months and that won’t be an option anymore, so this fund will help me upgrade my computer and be able to create the game of my dreams!

What does being the recipient of the BroadcastHER Student Scholarship mean to you?

I am so touched and honored to be a recipient. As someone who has always been interested in hobbies that are dominated by men, I’ve always felt intimidated or unworthy to be in that space. But, creating my community on Twitch and being lucky enough to be chosen for this grant has shown me that I am worthy of taking up space in my hobbies. I also like to think that I can be a role model to other women and non-men who want to become animators or create games!

Women are underrepresented in gaming, broadcasting, and e-sports. What can we do to change this?

Continue to uplift the voices of women in the way that 1DF does! Showcase women’s achievements on the front page of Twitch more often; interview more women about their experiences in these fields; and curate spaces where women uplift each other. I also think a big step would be to celebrate smaller achievements as well — not every win has to be huge in order to be celebrated.

What are some of the challenges you have faced along the way?

As a gamer, there is always the fear of speaking in game lobbies. When I’ve gotten the courage to make callouts in games such as Overwatch, I’ve been ridiculed and made fun of just because I’m a girl. Either that, or I get hit on just for having a lighter and more soft-spoken voice. As a streamer, so many people say that I have it easier because I’m a girl. But they don’t see the amount of people who have made me feel unsafe or uncomfortable in this space. And, as a student, I’ve had men teachers who tell me I won’t make it in this field because I’m too “soft.”

What advice do you have for women who want to start broadcasting?

DO IT! The most important thing for me — a huge introvert in real life — was finding the confidence to tell myself that I am important enough to do this. I think that, even if you have to fake that confidence, it helps you work towards gaining that confidence anyway! Through Twitch, I have made so many friends and have gotten SO much better at public speaking and speaking up for myself. I would also make sure to have clear boundaries set up beforehand. Also, don’t let people tell you not to stand up for the things you believe in.

How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

I write myself sticky notes and paste them everywhere around my desk! Whether it’s a to-do list or an encouraging note from my husband or mom, they’re always around and help me remember what to do. Also, I tend to dream REALLY big, but I also make myself a roadmap for achievements to celebrate along the way.