Rose Dekker was born in a small town in the Netherlands, moved to Amsterdam at the age of 18 to study Philosophy and came Shanghai for the first time as part of her bachelor's degree. Rose later decided to return to China to do a Masters degree in Chinese Philosophy. Rose met Maria while studying, and about a year after graduating they started a social organization fighting for a more inclusive society. 

 

Maria Ab was borin in a city in the north of Portugal, where religion is very present, and moved to Lisbon when she was 18 to study Law. During her studies Maria became very involved with NGOs and social movements, and encountered feminism which changed her perspective and her life. After graduating Maria took some time off to travel and better understand what she wanted to do. Maria came overland from Turkey to China on her own. First she stayed here working at an NGO in rural China, and later moved to Shanghai to study Chinese. Maria found great personal freedom in Shanghai, and found a space to develop herself and the direction of her work. This work has led her to create a social organization promoting inclusion through media, education and events.