Activist, Pilot, Mama, Consultant, Explorer, Amsterdam, Netherlands

I met Ms. Maria Bordallo at an outdoor cafe in Amsterdam. As we chatted, surrounded by sunshine and warmth, I realized that Maria’s demeanour and attitude toward life were uplifting me with positive ideas and inspirations toward my own future. Maria has the ability to combine a mischievous smile with a gift of genuine undivided attention. Great listener and a storyteller, occasionally throwing head back with a hearty laugh, her story has to be heard in person. Although her interview answers are quite modest in length, she touches upon her passion for activism (some disruptive), love for flying glider planes, being a mother and bettering Amsterdam’s community. Maria, you sure know how to live life to the fullest!

1. Name

Maria Bordallo.

2. Where is your hometown?

Amsterdam.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation?

4. What did you study in school?

Psychology and International Relations.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? What are some accomplishments you’re most proud of, and what was the turning point to set you on a current path in life?

I came to Amsterdam for love, for a man. But truly it was probably for a change, for the new, for the different. Amsterdam seemed like a great choice. And it’s not like I would have followed a guy to Siberia, at least not for more than two weeks. In a way I felt immediately at home in Amsterdam; as if living in an open air museum, small enough to feel included, international enough to feel I was out of Spain. But it was tough to find a job here, and I wanted to work in international relations so I rolled up my sleeves. First I obtained a meeting with the consul of Spain in Amsterdam who happened to know the person in Spain responsible for the United Nations junior posts. I travelled to Madrid to meet her to ask what I needed to have in my CV to reach to my goal.

From then on I was focused on completing a masters in international relations. It was a distance course which I took all while working as a local tourist guide in Amsterdam. It was wonderful, I got to travel, meet interesting people, earn good money at the time and while the tourists were taking pictures of the tulips for hours I would study. I also needed French and field experience so I did some internships in Kenya, and Berlin, which got me my first job in Brussels but with lots of travel everywhere.

I lived in Amsterdam only on the weekends, which was nice but I don’t know how I survived the commute. My boyfriend asked me to marry him a while back in 2008, and our wedding was planned for the summer of 2010, the day before the World Cup finals, to be precise; Waka Waka. It was the only time in history when the Spanish made it to the finals and they were facing the Dutch (my fiance was Dutch)! We followed the Cup to the minute hoping that serendipity did its job, which it did: our teams made it and were facing off in the final. As a result of the serendipitous match up, our wedding ended up being televised all over Spain. Additionally the Spanish footage was sold to the BBC and all other international agencies.

It was epic, and the next day we all watched the game in the big plaza, all the duchies dressed in orange, clearly visible and standing out from the Spanish red wave. Our love story didn’t last long however and we decided to separate. First though, we wanted to spend the money from the wedding and decided to do something special, something we both had wanted to do for a long time: take flying lessons and learn how to fly. After doing some research, we settled on Florida, US. In order to get into US at the time I had to show my marriage certificate as proof of return to Europe. I couldn’t find this document anywhere. After I called the priest that married us, he informed me that through the whole excitement of the World Cup finals and the cameras everywhere, he technically didn’t inscribe our wedding. So officially it meant that we weren’t married. I had to literally show the consulate a video from the BBC as proof of my wedding day.

Fast forward, I moved to New York City to work with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. I lived in New York for almost three years traveling in the assigned to me region. After a while, and with my new love, and current partner I got pregnant. It was 2013 and we made her in South Africa. She was indeed conceived the day Nelson Mandela died, so I want to think she is the reincarnation of Mandela. She’s in any case as strong willed as he was. We moved to Amsterdam, and that’s where I gave birth. After a while IPPF changed my contract to a consultancy one which was a great opportunity to explore other projects as a freelancer.

I had many different opportunities and learned a lot from all those projects. At some point I attended a lecture about climate change and I was mesmerized about the magnitude of the problem and how ignorant I had been about it. I started working as volunteer with different initiatives, some of which involved civil disobedience. I am now combining my consultancies with embracing doing less and slower, as after doing so much in my life (I’m not yet 40 and I speak five languages, have visited more than 90 countries, learned to dive and fly) my body talked to me and I had to learn and listen the hard way: I got arthritis in my hip and recently had a total hip replacement. I’m trying to be more present, say no to unnecessary things, minimize all unneeded travel and try to live a more mindful and a grounded life.

I will say that until now I always knew what I wanted in life. I put the wish into the universe and so far it has realized. I have been very lucky. I am where i wanted to be all along.

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I can't quite remember what I pictured back then.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

All the time! Dealing with my mom’s health issues, surviving separation, my own health news, reading about and living through general political and environmental changes are but a few. The most important thing in my opinion, is to be resilient. Life was never meant to be a candy box.

8. Advice for other women?

Please see No.9

9. Knowing what we know now in current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

It is and always will be a long battle. Keep connecting to what makes us amazing (as women) and stop wanting to be "like men". Let’s focus on our intuition, our power for connection and compassion.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

Anywhere where there is sun, sand and the sea.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

To get rid of my "personality defects”.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

Fear of declining physical health (such as arthritis and what impact that will have on the rest of my life).

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

Take more care of my body - carry less weight and play more gentle sports. I would never try a cigarette.

15. What inspires you?

Authenticity and courage.

16. What are you hopeful about?

I am hopeful we will solve the climate crisis on time.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Eating and sleeping well, sports, nurturing relationships with the loved ones, doing what feels right and therapy.

18. What is the quality you most love about yourself and why?

Optimism. I believe that everything in life is a great learning opportunity.

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

The closer you are to your core and who you really are, the better everything in life will be.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.

21. Who is a WOW Woman in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, why you admire them?

I am inspired by so many. One is an incredible woman and an activist, Teresa Borasino. Additionally I would nominate my best friend Maria from Spain, and my therapist Lucia.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

No active links to share at the moment.