Today, for the 28th day of the "Women’s History Month" project, we are celebrating this beautiful and amazing young woman
Gloria Simao, 27 (today), daughter, sister, fashion enthusiast, personal banker and currently studying Business Management at SMCC....
Let's read about "The journey of a fearless immigrant"
“A woman is in full circle. Within her is the power to create, nature and transform.” – Diane Mariechild
Where are you from?
My name is Muetulamba Gloria Simao. I was born in Namibia, Windhoek from immigrant Angolan parents. Namibia is South West Africa known for its beautiful dunes and landscapes. I have 9 siblings and the 4th oldest of my siblings and we also had 10 dogs. It was a really big family, which was always fun. We grew up really poor but for some reason we never really noticed because it was always fun. Growing up I always wanted to be a fashion designer because of my parents, I saw so much creativity and it made me so much happy. But design was not what my parents wanted for their children, so I had to study very hard to make a difference for myself and my family. In high school, I did acting and also participated in being part of Miss High school and was the second princess and miss personality. This was when I discovered my passion for modeling and also doing photoshoots. I would always plan photoshoots with my friends.
In 2019 my parents decided it was me to move to the United States. When I got onto the plane it was so emotional. This was the first time I was leaving my country of birth for 22 years. It was like a dream come true because I always told myself as a kid that I want to go to America, when we landed in New York the song of Alicia Keys New York kept playing in my head a city of opportunities. But unfortunately that was our first stop, we were told by a friend that Maine had opportunities for immigrants and this will be the best place to start a career. But when I googled Portland, It showed me Portland Oregon and I was so excited to go to a big city. I didn’t know there were two Places called Portland unl I got here. When we got here at first, I could not stay with my family because I was older so I had to live in a single shelter. It was really scary being around different people in a foreign country. After a few weeks of living in the shelter we got a house and we moved in together and started going to school at PAE.
Education
I did high school for 5 years and completed it in 2015, in Namibia, Windhoek . When I finished High school, my parents could not afford to pay for my university, so I started working with my parents as a tailor/designer and also helped them with managing the business, running their finances and also organizing fashion shows for my parents to show their work. . This made me very affectionate, towards having a business of my own someday. I started attending classes at PAE in 2020. This is where I completed and did my bank Teller Training class, thanks to PAE I am working at Gorham Saving Bank. most classes to work my way toward college. Now I can go back to school, and I am currently studying Business management at SMCC.
What do you do for work?
One of my dreams was to always work in the bank and grow from there. This dream came true. I currently work as a Personal banker at Gorham Savings Bank
Life challenges?
I do consider life as a challenge, trying my best to achieve my goals is one of my biggest challenges. I overcome them by trying my best to accomplish them every day. One of my biggest self-talks is to never give up.
Life achievements?
- Started school this year
- I just got promoted
- I bought my dream car
- I work out every day (it is not easy coming to the gym every day).
- I have also become interested in cooking, so I try new recipes every day.
What are your passions?
I have so many things I am passionate about, but there are 4 things that I really do enjoy doing. First, I really love designing clothes with my mom, using my mind to create clothing makes me so happy. Second, is volunteering, I love being around the less fortunate. I do know the struggle of growing up not having anything at all. Providing for people and seeing them happy is the best feeling in the world. My dream is to work in refugee camps around the world. Thirdly I love to model, I started doing it at a young age and I won a lot of pageants back in Namibia. Modeling brings out the beauty in me and just makes me love myself even more. Fourth, cooking is one of my hobbies. I enjoy trying new recipes every day. Cooking makes me happy.
What do you value the most in life?
I value my family, friends and animals. All three play a huge role in my life, always there for me showing love and support.
Advice for other women?
Remember to always love yourself. As a woman there is so much we experience day to day, and we sometimes forget to remind ourselves that we are beautiful and strong inside out.
Here is another one of Gloria's favorite quotes:
“If you always look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you do not have in life, you’ll never have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
*****
Thank you, Gloria, for sharing your story and empowering others!
#womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanpower #mainephotographer
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