Women in Malta Issue 01 FREE

Women in Malta ISSUE #001

WIM First Issue Take WIM to another level.

Cover Story Joan, a historian with a great story.

Photographs of Women in Malta In 5 different locations in Malta

FREE

EDITOR NOTES

Cheers to the First Issue of WIM magazine

Finally! We have our own first Women in Malta magazine. We are very grateful and appreciate all the support.

It seems like yesterday when we had the 15 photo shoots and the Women in Malta exhibition at the Malta Chamber of Commerce.

It was actually 2 years ago. We were honoured to have Ms President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca inaugurated our exhibition.

Starting a project is easy, all you have to do is download an project management app and start to write and plan, the most difficult part is to finish it. There were many hurdles and difficulties, one way or another we overcame it. The greatest reward for me was to interview the 15 women and photographing them. I thank all the sponsors, friends and family who supported and helped me through the project and without you, I wouldn’t have made it.

After the success of the exhibition, I decided to expend the concept of sharing women’s stories to another channel. That’s how WIM magazine was born. By sharing the stories, we can be more understanding about other people’s life. What you are going through right now, out there is someone also going through that. By sharing life experience, resonate with the stories can help people get through difficulties easier and increase mental health.

Amanda Hsu Editor and Photographer

in this issue

in this issue

03.

39.

06.

28.

34.

3.

6.

EDITOR’S NOTE

28.

Photographer: Amanda Hsu

STORIES OF THE WOMEN

All images and content are copyright of Amanda Hsu.

Meet the amazing talented people.

39.

STORIES OF THE WOMEN

Charlotte Grech, Sandra Mifsud, Laurie Pace, Maria Pisani and Rebecca Farrugia Hall.

62.

STORIES OF THE WOMEN

Davinia Galea, Sylvana Brannon and Rosetta DeBattista.

The making of WIM exhibition: https://youtu.be/hlhe5zv7KOQ

74

COVER STORY

MEET THE PHOTO SHOOT TEAM

82.

Front Cover: Joan Abela Contact: womeninmalta@amandahsu.com (+356)79244239

Read the story about Joan and the Notarial Archives.

34.

74.

First issue for WIM magazine, what is it all about?

Helga Ellul, Lorraine Spiteri, Mariella Pisani Bencini and Janet Mifsud.

62.

Full issue of all the 15 women’s stories can be purchased on : http://amandahsu. com/wim/

STORIES OF THE WOMEN

Ariadne Massa and Lorraine Schembri Orland.

82.

Behind The Scences When the team working on the photo shoots.

Helga Ellul

Helga Ellul Director of ADVISE LTD, former CEO of Playmobil for over 30 years.

H

elga was the first of the 15 women I met. She responded to my invitation in a few days and we were soon corresponding, and set a date for our meeting very quickly.I couldn’t believe that Helga Ellul was coming to my studio. I told everyone about it.I talked to people about Helga, people who knew about her heard that I invited her for the project, they told me, “oh yes, Helga is a lovely

person.” She is known as a first business woman in Malta. She was the CEO of Playmobil for 30 years. Back in those days there weren’t many women running a company like her. As our experience in life, if you do something unusual, you get criticised. So I asked her some questions about being a CEO, a business women in those days.

She told me that back in those days, there were some people who thought she was a super woman who knew everything. To clarify that impression, she had parties at home and invited all the neighbours to join. As people got to know her better, they found her to be like every other mum who loves to talk about their children. Back in those days she was a flower power girl. She wanted to be an artist. Then she was lucky to find someone to help her in early life, and they sent her to Malta for the job in Playmobil.

W

hat interests me the most is her faith in people. She is very open to communication to anyone. Even sometimes the cooperation doesn’t work out, together she would still try to find a way out for each other. “Forgive and give chances.” She said. “If you believe that people are good, then they will be good.”

The 6 Q&A Q1.When you feel down, what you usually do to make yourself feel better? How do you deal with stress? Helga: “I love sports, cooking and painting. These are the things I do for stress relief. When sporting, I take it easy, I don’t mind if I lose the game.” Q2. What you enjoy the most about your work?

Helga:”People.” Q3. Have you been professionally photographed before? How did you feel? (Before the shoot with Amanda) Helga: “Yes, I have. I didn’t like it.” Q4: If you knew then what you know now, what would you tell your 18-year-old self? Helga: “Whatever you do, you have to love doing it, ultimately love it. Also you must be educated and trained, study it properly.” Q5. When things get tough, how do you keep yourself going?

Helga: “I have a lot of support from my husband. My husband is a very confident person. I was a shy girl, he gave me a lot of confidence and support.

Sometimes I felt more alone rather than stressful. I have very good friends I can talk to. But most of the time I reason with myself and find solutions.”

Q6: How do you define success?

Helga: “For me success is when I can make a contribution to people, not being wasted. I love people and I have strong belief in people.”

Helga now has her own consulting company. Giving people advice regarding business.

Location:Casa Rocca Piccola

Lorraine Spiteri Chairperson of the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations

L

orraine has been an activist in the women’s movement in Malta since 1978. Her main academic background and research are related to women and gender issues with special focus on the labour market and the media. The MCWO is an umbrella organisation representing 15 local organisations.

The first time I met her, she told me she is 54, I couldn’t believe it. She look at least 10 years younger than

that. She is a warm and caring woman. When she talks about what she believes with women’s right, she is strong and press the matter firmly. Recently she told me a happy news that her 3 submissions for Malta were shortlisted amongst member states and finally one also made it to the 11 selected good practices for improving women’s participation in politics.

The 6 Q&A Q1.When you feel down, what you usually do to make yourself feel better? How do you deal with stress?

the shoot with Amanda) Lorraine: “Yes I have been professionally photographed twice. I felt embarrassed initially but then it went great.” Q4.If you knew then what you know now, what would you tell your 18-year-old self? Lorraine:”Be yourself. Treat yourself with love and respect always.” Q5. When things get tough, how do you keep your- self going? Lorraine: “When things get tough I just keep on going. I adapt to all situations as much as I can and move on. When I was younger I was more rigid, now life experience has made me more flexible, stronger and wiser.” Q6.

How do you define success? Lorraine: “I would define success as the satisfaction of having done something ac- cording to what one wished to achieve. It gives that good feeling inside, when I achieve something it really makes me happy.”

Link about Lorraine: http://www.mcwo. net/

Location: Malta Chamber of Commerce

Lorraine Spiteri

Mariella Pisani Bencini

Mariella Pisani Bencini TV Producer and Writer

T

shoot with Amanda) Mariella: “I featured in the book active with tight daily schedule. I do ap- Ladies of Malta by Nicholas Depiro. There was only one location, Casa Rocca Piccola, , I was seated and preciated that they took time to meet me I could simply be myself. I did not consider it as a and helped me with my project. It was a photo shoot for a photography exhibition, but simply brief meeting with Mariella, she had the lovely smile as one or two photographs for a book. The photograas she walked in my studio. We talk about a bit pher was Patrick Fenech a professional photographer, with whom, as with Amanda, I felt very comfortable about my project and how the photo shoot is going working.” to be then I started to ask her the questions.

Q4. If you knew then what you know now, what would you tell your 18-year-old self? Mariella: “I would tell my eighteen year old self to be more tolerant of other The 6 Q&A people and their views, less rebellious and less impulsive.”

Q1.When you feel down, what you usually do Q5.When things get tough, how do you keep yourto make yourself feel better? How do you deal self going? Mariella: “When things get tough, as they with stress? Mariella: “When I am stressed out tend to do throughout life’s experiences, I tend to work and consequently problems seem bigger and harder. Work and writing keep my mind off other more unsolvable, when I end up with my back things and drive me to keep going.” to the wall, without any solutions whatsoever, I Q6. How do you define success? Mariella: “Success is close my eyes and pray God to take the burden the feeling of fulfilment in the way one is living one’s off me. Prayer works wonders.” life.”

Q2. What you enjoy the most about your work?

Mariella: “Through my television programme Her novel has won Boydell & Brewer Prize and she is Meander, I come in contact with artists from the winner of national literary award 2005 all fields of the arts, very interesting people who have somehow through their art captured the Links about Mariella: true spirit of life. This is what I enjoy most in my https://www.facebook.com/meandernet/; http:// work.” www.independent.com.mt/articles/2005-01-07/loQ3. Have you been professionally photocal-news/Let’s-Do-lunch-with-Mariella-Pisani-Bencigraphed before?How did you feel? (Before the ni-70616 he 15 women I photographed are all very

Update from Mariella: A follow up, is what Amanda Hsu requested, a follow up of the few words I wrote about myself for the Women in Malta exhibition, which was held in 2015. Two years is a short time relatively speaking, a very short time, it seems like yesterday that I was backstage at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, getting ready for the photo-shoot by Amanda.

Much seems to have happened in two years, at the same time it seems that time has stood still. I still produce and present Meander, the arts and culture television programme which has stood the test of time and been present on local television screens for the past twenty three years. Two years during which I have become acquainted with more artists from all fields of the arts, artists from whom I have continued my learning process, learning about the human soul because to me Art is mainly that, a reflection of the soul, of the profound inner core of the sensitive human spirit.

A glance at the past two years, reveals me as a person richer in experiences. In 2016 I experienced for the first time the United States of America, on a visit with my husband Geoff to Texas, California and New York, the city which I discovered is really the city that never sleeps. Art is alive in New York, its museums are exciting,

Location:Teatru Manoel

showcasing American Art, besides the Euro-

life. My new novel is now ready for publication and I look

pean element. I relished coming face to face with

forward to seeing the printed version this year. I would like

the amazing bronze statues of horses by Frederic

to start working on a book of short stories and a new novel

Remington, art which brings the Wild West to life

in Maltese, an intention which has been brewing up for

and more than that reveals the rich history of that

some time now.

era. Georgia O’Keefe and her beautiful flower

MARIELLA PISANI BENCINI

paintings, so suggestive of her sensitivity. The make

MAY, 2017

belief world of Hollywood and Warner Brothers Studio, The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas and Chichen Itza, the Mayan Ruins on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. History of different peoples which unites us as one people of this world, broadening my views about life, about history, about our common roots.

Another experience which I shall always treasure, and which I had always coveted, was San Remo festival 2017, a birthday surprise which was so rewarding and exciting, a veritable festa of Italian songs, singers and song writers, a wonderful production, professionality at its best. An unforgettable experience.

The event which I consider as the most important during the past two years was the birth of Baby Giorgio, son of my daughter Berta and her husband Paul Gonzi, a most welcome cousin to Max and Roger, my other two grandsons, sons of my daughter Krista and her husband Antonio Ghio.

I thank God every day for my beautiful family, which is the pride of my life.

These have been two very busy years of my

Janet Mifsud

Janet Mifsud Professor in Pharmacology of University of Malta

people I meet and the fact that one day is never like the other.” Q3. Have you been professionally photoMalta’. graphed before? How did you feel? (Before the shoot I got up 5:30am, left home about 6:30am to get with Amanda) Janet: “Once long time ago, – I never to Valletta before 8am. I made sandwiches for did see the end results so I still don’t know how I did – my team and I. But after I got the basil from Jan- they weren’t as well prepared as Amanda.” Q4. If you et, it took my sandwiches to another level! I was knew then what you know now, what would you tell your 18-year-old self?Janet: “Never stop to find new amazed, the power of herbs! challenges or underestimate yourself and your potenThis amazing woman, Janet Mifsud, she is quick, tial.” Q5. When things get tough, how do you keep efficient and knowledgeable. She is a professor at your- self going? Janet: “I try raise above the problem university of Malta, knows all about medicine and mentally and always remember that closing one door opens 100 others – sometimes things happen for a chemistry, which are totally mysteries to me. I told reason we only appreciate retrospectively.” Q6. How her I think cooking is magic, because when I bake do you define success? Janet: “Learning to make most a cake, before and after the oven it changes com- of one’s talents, while trying to understand the differpletely. Then she started to tell me that’s because ent perspectives of all those around you, yet being at peace with your inner self.”

There were 5 days of photo shoots for ‘Women in

of protein etc. When she came for the photo shoot for “Women in Malta”, she brought me fresh herbs,

Her Biography: that was a lovely surprise. In our last conversation Prof Janet Mifsud obtained her PhD in 1995 from we were talking about getting fresh herbs. She really Queen’s University of Belfast in the pharmacology of chiral antiepileptic drugs. Her research activities in has excellent memory. epilepsy are undertaken with colleagues in Mater Dei Hospital, Queen’s University of Belfast and King’s ColThe 6 Q&A lege London, where she has been appointed visiting lecturer. She has published extensively and has been Q1. When you feel down, what you usually do invited to European and World Epilepsy Conferences. to make yourself feel better? How do you deal She was appointed on the organising and scientific with stress? Janet: “Just do something else not committees of the 2011 International Congress on related at all eg read a book or watch a movie Epilepsy and European Epilepsy and Society Conferor hear music and sleep on it – things always ence, 2010 and European Pharmacology Congress, are better the next morn- ing.” Q2. What you EPHAR, 2012. She has also organised various conenjoy the most about your work? Janet: “The ferences in Malta such as an International School in huge variety of things I am involved in and Pharmacokinetics in conjunction with

the University of Minnesota and the University of Pisa and various national epilepsy conferences.

She co-ordinates pharmacology study units offered at the University of Malta for Faculties of Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences; Science; Education; and Dental Surgery. She also co-ordinates an MSc (Pharmacology/Clinical Pharmacology) and a Pharmacotoxicology Course, both of which have been approved under the Get Qualified Scheme of Malta Enterprise.

Prof Mifsud was Secretary General for the European Epilepsy Academy and is presently Vice-President for the International Bureau for Epilepsy; and member, Joint Task Force, European Epilepsy Research and Advocacy.

She is an advisor, Caritas Malta Epilepsy Association. She is also involved in several EU and internationally funded projects.

Prof Mifsud was national expert on the scientific Pharmacogenetics Working Group (PGWP) in European Medicines Agency in London. In 2010, she was appointed by the Malta Council for Science and Technology as national contact point for COST, the intergovernmental framework for European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research.

Location:Mediterranean Conference Centre

Dr Mifsud was appointed the first Commissioner, National Commission for the Promotion of Equality

WITH

(NCPE) in 2004 and was for several years a member of the Public Service Commission. She is presently Board Member, Malta Council for Science and Technology and a member of Team Europe, EU Representation in Malta.

She was interviewed by the US Embassy’s event “Inter-

21st & 22nd october 2017

national Day of the Girl”, link: http://malta.usembassy. gov/idotg-janetmifsud.html Links about Janet: https://www.um.edu.mt/profile/janetmifsud,

http://

www.researchgate.net/profile/Janet_Mifsud

10:00am - 7:00pm the Phoenicia

Update from Janet: Life has certainly moved on with all its challenges- this has certainly helped me to continue to grow....I am now

Supporting

presently on year’s sabbatical from the University and based at University College London where I am working with a great team of researchers on genetics of epilepsy. It is a tremendous experience and, despite missing Malta and my family and friends and the weather, I

portunity to experience new cultures and meet and make

am thoroughly enjoying it. It is great to discover London

great new friends. Its amazing how small the world can

as a resident not just as a tourist and finding such fasci-

be despite its variety. I am also still active on a national

nating aspects to this great city. It helps that my daugh-

basis, contributing to various committees based in Malta

ter is based her right now and having brought our dog

remotely and I am involved in the organisation of various

over its a great way to walk around the lovely parks and

international scientific conferences and events in Malta.

Making Parents Life Easier!

100s of thE bEst brands

English countryside. I am still travelling a great deal for meetings to Europe and beyond, also taking the op-

Life certainly does not stop at 40.

Mother, baby & Child Malta

COVER STORY

Joan Abela Historian, the President of the Notarial Archives

J

oan is the chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Rehabilitation of the Notarial Archives and the President of the Notarial Archives Resources Council. She has a cheerful voice when she talks and from her her eye shadow and her outfit I can see that she loves bright colours. When a person loves what she/he does, they can always talk about it all the time and all day long. When I just started to ask her questions about her work, she told me, ” I can talk about it all day.” The week I would like to set a meeting with her she was happened had to go to Greece for a conference. She told me she likes to go to conferences abroad to meet people from different countries, show them Maltese archive discoveries, give a presentation and to know where Maltese archive stand among all the countries. Then I ask, after all those conference she has been to, where does Maltese archive stand?

“Exceptional! In archive, we are very lucky to have so much archive.” She answered proudly. Then she said wanted to tell me something which really amazed me.

She started as a matured student in the university. She got the master degrees of history in her 40s, after 3 years she got her Ph.D degrees, one from Malta, one from Exeter in England. The funny thing is she was a stay at home mum and also helping her husband’s business. After her children grew up, she decided to take up a hobby. She was always interested in history and wanted to learn more so she started to study history in university as hobby. Who go to university for hobby? I didn’t. It was more about getting the degree.

So she sounds pretty amazing to me. She is a mari-

time historian, archivist, housewife and mother. Family play a large part of her life. She is a mother of 3 children. They are all accountants, just like their Dad. She particular mentioned that she never put pressure on her children. She said, ” I do everything for my children.

Looking after my children gives me a lot of comfort. If my children are not happy about what I do, I wouldn’t be able to do what I want. In fact, they give me a lot of support. ” She wanted her children to have good childhood so she spent most her time with them when they were still young, only went to university when she was in her early 40s. She refused twice scholarship for studying Ph.D in England. It’s only because she didn’t want to leave her children and family. When the university of Exeter offer her the third time of the scholarship, they gave her everything she need so she didn’t have to go to England to study, she could stay in Malta and travel to England when it was needed. It showed that the university of Exeter, they really wanted Joan to take up the Scholarship so they wouldn’t give up offering her again and again.

The 6 Q&A Q1. When you feel down, what you usually do to make yourself feel better? How do you deal with stress?

Joan: “I try to be positive and think of my achievements and just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family and such amazing friends who support me. When I am really stressed out I try to organize myself as much as possible and allow some time to go for walks or do other

Joan Abela

t

hings that are not connected to research and writing.” Q2.

What you enjoy the most about your work? Joan: “I try

to juggle between several different jobs in one day, all of which require time and attention. I like having this variety in my life since the experience gained from one job can be used to the benefit of another job and this makes a person more capable of managing particular situations. A typical day in my life could easily be divided be- tween lecturing at University, assisting researchers at the Notarial Archives, olving administrative problems at my husband’s office, doing a feature for the media or try- ing to get sponsorships for restoration work on notarial manuscripts. Obviously with three children there are also a lot of house chores, sshopping and cooking to be done and which cannot wait till you feel like doing them. However, I do all my work with love and passion and that’s what gives me strength and keeps me going.” Q3. Have you been professionally photographed before? How did you feel? (Before the shoot with Amanda) Joan: “Yes, I have been photographed for features being published with respect to the Notarial Archives. However I have never been professionally photographed with me be- ing the main subject.” 4)If you knew

Location:Casa Rocca Piccola

then what you know now,

w

hat would you tell your 18-year-old self? Joan: “Well, it is

to carry out the conservation treatment. This reflects

difficult to look at life with hindsight since there are so many

one of Joan’s missions – that of calling upon the

mistakes or situations that we would have liked to avoid or

authorities for a regulated system of warrants for

else feel that we could have acted differently. I am a person

properly qualified conservators. The largest dona-

who strongly believes that if one learns from his or her mistakes these are

tion yet was made by The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.

ultimately beneficial in moulding a person’s character and in preparing

Joan was, of course, instrumental in securing this

him or her for more difficult situations in life. At 18 I had stopped studying

sponsorship. This €50,000 sponsorship is currently

and started work. I always wanted to have a family and did not think

being used to treat all the volumes of Notary Sel-

much of a career at the time, this could also be due to the social and

vagij de Via. His documents, close to Joan’s heart

economic conditions prevalent at the time. The fact that I continued my

for their historical content which formed part of her

studies much later in life as a mature student opened up new horizons

doctoral research, document the first years of the

and opportunities for me. My initial contact with the Notarial Archives

Knights of the Order of St John in Vittoriosa. Al-

was through my research and believe me it was a cultural shock to see

though the progress up to now has been impressive,

historic documents dumped in dirt. However, instead of grumbling, to-

Joan consistently reminds the public that the work

gether with my friend Francesca Balzan, I tried to do something and

at the Notarial Archives never ceases. The current

today the Archives are one of the most consulted collections on the island

project of the Notarial Archives is focused on re-

and also boast of having Dr Theresa Zammit Lupi, who is the top book

habilitating its buildings and transforming the once

and paper conservator in Malta. I think I would be hesitant to give myself

derelict archive into a thriving centre for research.

some sort of advice since I truly believe that what I am today is the fruit

Joan has inspired an extraordinary number

of all past experience, good and bad. Q5. When things get tough, how

of people to join the cause, ranging from volunteers

do you keep yourself going? Joan: “Much like when I feel stressed (see my

to researchers and students. The importance she

answer to question 1).” Q6. How do you define success? Joan: “For me

gives the latter shows that she believes in the power

success is when I do a good deed, when I make someone happy, when

of the younger generation to influence the present

I save a precious object, when I am having quality time with my loved ones or with my friends. Success is realizing what matters most in life, that is, good health and be- ing content with what you have.Success is not hesitating to change the world against all odds and making it a better place even if this means personal sacrifice. It doesn’t matter whether you succeed or not, what matters is that you try to do your best.”

At the moment Joan is giving lecture in the university, the subject is about the faculty of laws, legal history and methodology.

More about Joan’s recent achievement, written by Dr. Christina Meli, PR of Notarial Archives Resource Council: Determined leader, strong mentor, intelligent researcher and

maritime historian, dedicated volunteer, and car-

true that the team has the precious paper heritage at the Notarial

ing friend – Joan Abela has worn many hats as

Archives close to heart, it was always Joan who led us on the right

the founding president of the Notarial Archives

path to success.

Resource Council in the past years. Her volun-

It was Joan who found the large rubbish bags, full of loose

tary work at the Notarial Archives has been per-

folios, which contained the oldest known document in the collection of

formed with determination, persuasion, and with

the Notarial Archives so far, dating to 1431. Her initiative to do some-

a firm hand but always with kindness and great

thing about the shameful state of the Notarial Archives has kick-start-

humility. She is always adamant to say that the

ed an entire project to save and preserve Maltese paper heritage. The

dedicated team at the Notarial Archives is es-

‘Adopt a Notary’ scheme had successfully managed to entice the pri-

sential in the transformation of the Archives and

vate sector and individuals to invest in our nation’s paper heritage by

although she is the one doing the talking, she is

sponsoring the conservation treatment of volumes at the Notarial Ar-

simply passing on their message. Although it is

chives. Only professional book and paper conservators are employed

and help in righting the wrongs. To me, Joan is living proof that dreams can come true; not with some magic spell but through perseverance, passion, dedication, and determination to be the best version of yourself in every possible situation. Joan has given Maltese paper and cultural heritage the most important gift one can give – her invaluable time.

If you want to thank this incredible woman for her hard work, adopt an item at the Notarial Archives.

I am certain that, in all her modesty and love for the Archives, that is all she wants.

Meet the team for Women In Malta Photo Shoots

ANABEL ATTARD makeup artist

RIMVYDAS STASIUNAS hair stylist

Anabel is a beauty Therapist and makeup artist. She

Remi is the owner at Remi Hairdressing in St. Julian’s.

is the owner at Madame Reve - Make-up, Massage &

https://www.remihairdressing.com

Beauty in Mosta. https://www.facebook.com/aatta123/

MALCOLM DEBONO cinematographer Principal Cinematographer at Malta Wedding Films DP / Cinematographer at malcolmdebono.com

JUSTYNA CH photo shoot asistant

Cranberry Photography Studio

16 Triq Salvu Dimech (+356) 79244239

For the full issue, complete stories of the 15 women, please go to: http://amandahsu.com/wim/