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Maria Santiago I Women's History Month

March 29, 2021 | By: Renata O'Donnell

Today, for the Women's History Month, we will celebrate this beautiful woman

Meet Maria Santiago, 50, mother of two, a health care worker and a lover of travel...

Maria loves to travel. She has been to more than 20 countries and speaks 5 different languages. Though born in Brazil, she lived in the beautiful Netherlands Antilles, Aruba for over 30 years. Here Maria worked 23 years in Duty-free representing one of the major American luxury cosmetics industry, earning first place for best Skin Care Expert in South America and in the Caribbean. She left Aruba and moved to USA after meeting and marrying her husband from Maine. Unfortunately the marriage did not last.

Maria is very proud of her two adult children. Her 29-year-old daughter Arietha Carolina studied International Business and Marketing in the Netherlands, and has become a traveler just like her mother. She is now a successful businesswoman and she and her mother share a love of exploring new cultures. Her 24-year-old son Israel  started doing Hospitality in Aruba, but now is pursuing a career with the Dutch Coast Guard in the Caribbean, he has always liked extreme sports and he is an Amateur Boxer.  Carolina and Israel continue to live in Aruba.
Though in the midst of a contentious divorce, Maria has decided to focus on self-care and to completely reinvent herself. She is focusing on a new career. A commendable thing to begin at age 50! Maria is currently attending a medical academy to become a Phlebotomist, though her eventual goal is to become an Occupational Therapist. She particularly aspires to heal and help people with disabilities. She sites her dearest counselors, Rachel, Basra, Lyndsay, and Tammy, four career women, as encouraging role models who helped empower her through this tough time in her life. 

Maria is an artist. She loves painting, cake designing and decorating and she is also a make-up artist. In her free time Maria likes to travel and to spend time with her family and friends.

Maria lives by this quote:

"Everything that happens in life is a lesson, and leads us to our next adventure.

we have to omit what has no place in our lives, and open ourselves to positive and productive thinking,

Let us not waste time on things that do not build us up,

and above all, always believe in yourself!"

***

Thank you, Maria, for sharing your journey with us all!

#whm #womenshistorymonthproject #womansupportingwomen #womenempowerment

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6 Comments

Apr 1, 2021, 8:01:08 PM

Jim holland - Amazing!!

Mar 31, 2021, 9:57:20 PM

Tammy Gardell - Beautiful pictures and wonderful story. Maria is an inspiration to the women around her! She is charismatic and full of life. What a great way to honor a remarkable woman.

Mar 30, 2021, 2:12:20 PM

Lyndsay Robinson - Maria is a true powerhouse! She is a strong female that is making a difference in many people's lives!

Mar 30, 2021, 12:35:40 PM

Stephen - What a great program!

Mar 30, 2021, 10:24:20 AM

Alcioneia - Muito bom artigo. Empoderamento é isto, elegância, sapiência e feminismo...sem perder o gosto de ser mulher! Ótima iniciativa. Que a exemplaridade enaltece mais outras mulheres!

Mar 29, 2021, 3:03:57 PM

Luciana Bomfim Hall - What a beautiful job to show real women and real stories. Women who live in the daily struggle, making mistakes and getting it right but mainly looking for happiness. Congratulations!!

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