Angelina's Story- When did I reinvent myself
I like to think of myself as a multidimensional person: woman, mother, wife, daughter, lawyer, manager, coach…
Throughout life I have been listening to my inner voice that has always lead my way. Since childhood I learned to always follow my heart: from my parents I learned hard work, dignity and love for human beings. I grew up in a society that was deeply challenged by popular upheaval, collapse of the Soviet Union and rise of patriotic movement, which had a deep impact on me.
At the age of 16 I was among a small group of Moldovan youth that was awarded a scholarship to spend one year in the USA, an experience that deeply changed me and shaped my personality, opened my mind and further reinforced my belief that I could bring my contribution in the democratization of my country.
I went on to study law at the Moldova State University and acquired a European Master’s Degree in human rights and democratization.
Through my university years I worked on translating legal documents and European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence and taking part in capacity building of judges, prosecutors and lawyers of Moldova on the European Convention of Human Rights.
This all has reinforced my background and vision about building a carrier in human rights law, thus having the opportunity to work in international environment and learning from leading human rights experts in such organizations as: OSCE Mission to Moldova, UNICEF and the Council of Europe.
In the meantime, I established a family and I gave birth to my first child – a beautiful baby girl, who changed my life forever. I had to learn how to combine my new role as a mother with my life and professional work. It was challenging as I remember rushing to the office and back just to manage to breast-feed her. Becoming a mother has taught me what infinite love and sacrifice means. After a couple of years I gave birth to my second child – my beautiful son, whom I had to loose in a 1.5 years. This tragedy had a deep impact on me and it taught me the lesson of grief, infinite love, forgiveness and humbleness. There was a long period of self-blame, anger and sadness which could not fill the void left behind. This was a period of deep suffering, tragedy and search for meaning of life. This is the time when I became initiated in meditation and self-consciousness practices that uncovered deeper levels of the creation.
The only thing I could think about was my daughter, my family and the mission I had deep in my soul – that of working for improving the lives of others. All of this time I felt that there is a higher plan to these events. After a couple of years, I gave birth to twins – an amazing baby girl and boy that filled the void of loss and helped me heal.
At the same time, this was a very creative period when I laid the foundation of the Women’s Law Center, an organization that aimed at preventing and combating domestic violence and providing legal empowerment and representation to women victims of domestic violence and violence against women. During his time, I acted as member of the group of experts on behalf of the Republic of Moldova contributing to the drafting of the European Convention to Prevent and Combat Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) my main goal was to develop the national legal framework in the field of domestic violence in accordance with international human rights standards. During almost a decade I was involved in leading the advocacy work to advance the reform in the field of domestic violence, both at the level of legislative and institutional change as well as in the access to services for victims, developing an unique model of victim centered assistance for women and their children.
At this point, I felt again the need for going forward in generating new ideas and exploring new parts of my personality by developing my skills in business administration this time and learning more about a new topic, which has been so far just a passion – nutrition. This is the moment when I enrolled in the Master’s program in Integrative Nutrition at the University of New York, USA. This program has helped me understand better myself, I learned that the main obstacle in maintaining optimal health and well-being is deeply rooted in one’s mentality and lifestyle. Thus, health comes not only from the food we eat, but also from the water we drink, the air we breathe, the love in our life, the level of physical activity, a fulfilling career, spiritual practice, etc. I am now coaching clients who wat to change their lifestyle and eating habits towards improved health as well as manage our family business that is built around holistic approach to health.
I don’t know where my life will take me next, but I deeply believe in courage, dignity, following my truth, passions and inspiration, having faith in the process of life comprised of endless work on myself by improving my consciousness, wisdom, compassion and gratefulness, continuing my personal, professional and spiritual work with my heart and mind open. I am infinitely grateful, and my heart is full of humbleness for all those that have supported and contributed to my process of growth: my husband and children, my parents, friends and colleagues and equally all people that have come into my life.
By Angelina Zaporojan-Pirgari,
E.MA in Human Rights and Democratization,
Honorary President of Women’s Law Center,
Manager of Grandismedozon Holistic Clinic,
Coach in Integrative Nutrition