Retired SuperStar, a Class Act, Cape Town, South Africa

When I say class act, I really mean it. Ms. Adriena Scheuring has been a positive light in our lives, with a twist of the German/Czech determination and efficiency. An inspiration for exploring all that the world has to offer, Adriena arrived in South Africa right at the time when the world was turning its back, in the midst of the Omicron closures. She arrived when most Europeans fled. While reading between the lines in many of Ms. Scheuring’s answers, I see a resilient woman, gratefully grabbing at the opportunities and the blessings that life bestowed on her. I have a lot more to discover about this private woman, grateful to her for opening up a small window into her life.

Here is what Ms. Scheuring’s number one fan had to say about her:

“Most people struggle to find direction in life. We all know the feeling of frustration when the path forward is not entirely clear or apparent. Adriena is one of those rare people for whom that feeling is foreign. It has always been clear to Adriena what she wanted from life. And she made sure to fight for it! In Adriena’s mind, obstacles don’t exist. Maybe it is because she just doesn’t see them. Or perhaps she would rather just plough right over them instead of going around.”

1. Name 

Adriena Greening-Scheuring.

2. Where is your hometown?

How do you define home town? I would say, that I have several home towns. There is the village I live in since over 30 years. This is Seeheim, a mid-size village near Frankfurt/Main. Then there is the city where I was born and to which I still feel a connection, where my roots are. This is Prague in the Czech Republic.

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

I worked for Lufthansa, the German airline for over 30 years in different positions. However at this very moment, as I write these lines, I have been retired for a week.

In the last 12 years I was responsible for the in-flight service on German and European flights. That means achieving efficiency in processes before and while boarding, where cabin and ground staff work together in order to achieve a punctual departure. In addition, my team was responsible for the revision of the Lufthansa cabin service manual, where all obligatory processes related to the service on-board are published.

What does your average day look like? I have to figure this out for my future days in retirement. In the past my days were full of meetings and a lot of emails. I always worked in interface functions with different divisions. So there was a lot of searching for agreements and coordination in order to achieve the best cooperation between the different stakeholders.

4. What did you study in school?

In school my main topic was maths and later computer science. At the age of 15 I learned about programming theory in school and was fascinated. I instantly knew that computer science was what I want to study, and so I did.  I complemented it with economics in order to have a broader academic base.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

My journey was not easy, but I managed it because I knew what I was doing was important for me. And I always looked at the positive side of things.

I am most proud of my four adult kids, who all do very well in their own lives.

The point where my life took the turn from “just good” to real happiness was when I met my second husband. He is there for me and always backs me up.

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

Somehow I always had a plan in my mind, although I didn’t really develop it formally. It was just in my mind and I followed it. I had a framework outlined of what I wanted to achieve for my life. I wanted to have a big family with many children, because I came with my parents and my little sister from Prague to Germany, as refugees. And from one day to the next I was cut off from my beloved grandparents. I guess, that this experience is an important part for my development.

I wanted to have a good job and earn enough money to be able to support my kids on my own, provide a house and a home for my family. I am more than happy, that I was able to reach my goals in life; in addition I have a wonderful husband. We’ve been together for 33 years.

To come back to your question, at the age of 20 I had a plan in my mind, but of course I was not sure if I would manage to fulfil it. Now at the age of 60 I can look back at my life’s journey with gratitude and joy. All my dreams came true and my life is even better than I dared to dream about.

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

I think the most critical point in my life was when I got pregnant at 18. At that point my life could have taken a bad turn. But I was lucky. My then boyfriend who was also quite young, and his parents, supported me. I was able to go to university and continue my studies.

9. Knowing what we know now in a 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"?

I wish men would finally realize how much better the world would be for all of us, if men and women would cooperate in terms of leadership. Mixed teams bring better results. 

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

My happiest place is in the middle, surrounded by my family, together with my husband.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I like to be on the move. I love running, swimming, yoga and traveling. 

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

My future goal is to support my grandchildren to become confident adults and find their path in life. To speak in a more global way, I think that everyone is important and can contribute something to a better world. But first you have to be a confident person.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

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

I would live my life the same way.

15. What/who inspires you?

Young people who fight climate change.

16. What are you hopeful about?

That mankind will stop pollution and stop climate change.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life?

Believing in yourself.

Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

I see much clearer how vulnerable our world is. There are so many aspects and everything is related. It’s not just about the health issues, but also about the climate change and that leads to the flow of refugees. There are so many challenges and I think about how I could contribute to a solution. On the other hand, as long as I don’t have a better plan, I do at least regular beach and forest clean ups … wherever I am (at the moment we do it here, in Bloubergstrand, the beach near Cape Town).

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I motivate people to do the things they have to do, with joy. For example my team at work or my grandchildren for school. 

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

You are on the right path! 

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

I like reading crime fiction and novels. For example the “Cormoran Strike” series by J.K. Rowling alias Robert Galbraith. But I also loved the Harry Potter series. It’s so full of fantasy. Another of my favourite books is “Lola Bensky” written by Lily Brett. I read it several times.

Also the books by Florian Illies, such as “1913: The Year Before the Storm”, and a novel by Alexandra Alt called “Promise”. It tells a story about two young people during the WW2. It gives an insight into the lives of ordinary people, without any sort of romantic kitsch.

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, about why you admire them?

Olga, you are a WOW Woman. I admire this project of yours. It’s so full of positive energy.

Luisa Sedlmayr, a young inspiring German wine maker and I wish her all the luck of the world. 

Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign affairs minister. I admire her courage to take over responsibility in politics. She is really an extraordinary WOW Woman.

I also want to highlight so many WOW Women out there, who do their jobs and take care of their kids. These are the role models for the next generation.

It all seems hard while you are going through it, in the thick of the “rush hour” of life. You need a lot of strength to get through it. But then, when the waves smooth out, you can look back onto your life and see what you have accomplished. It gives you such a satisfaction. Thus, I would like to call out to all young women: “Hang on in there, it's worth it!”.

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

I’m private…. no website, no blog. 

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for?

The next generation and our blue planet.

2. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)?

My maternal grandparents.

3. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? But since you’re retired, that time is NOW!

I will do more sports. I plan on going running, when it’s nice outside and not only in the dark (when that used to be the only free time slot). I will more often visit my kids and their families who live further away.

4. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be?

This is really not easy to answer, because I am happy with myself. But… if you ask me, there’s only one girl I would like to be for one day… and that is Pippi Longstocking :-) the strongest girl in the world.

5. What bothers you most about other people?

I feel sorry for the people who are narrow-minded. They miss out so many possibilities and options life has to offer.

6. What do you love most about other people?

I love people with positive vibrations. You can have fun but still be diligent and successful. It’s just so much easier with lightness.