Translator: Hala Shmayess Checker: Nada Qanbar
It is an honor for me to stand here on this platform at the age of thirty-seven.
I am well aware that I am approaching forty very quickly.
So, maybe it’s better to tell you a bit about the past.
When I was eight years old,
My teacher told me in front of my classmates and parents
I am stupid and will not accomplish anything in my life.
I do not remember that I cried her day,
What I remember well
Is that I was determined to prove to everyone and especially to my parents
I may be “different” but I’m not stupid.
When I was in school, I was a very polite girl.
I used to learn ballet. I did not raise my voice in my father’s face,
I was doing my job well.
Until a day came when I saw Alice Cooper on television.
Things started to get worse.
My mother quickly asked my father to turn off the television
But it was too late.
I was gradually impressed by loud music.
In 1995, I was 16 years old,
There was a leading model in my school.
It was the first time I sat in front of a computer.
There was a little turtle I could control.
She was going up and down, going to the right and left,
With circles, lines, squares, and anything I wanted.
I went home that day
I asked for my computer as a gift for Christmas.
Can you guess the answer?
“No” great.
We did not discuss it.
I was sixteen years old and I knew what I wanted to do.
It was something to do with computers.
But I was a Greek girl, she would become a Greek woman.
I was not allowed to do that.
I had to get married early and have children as soon as possible
Then I work in the public sector from 9 am to 1 pm
Which gives me enough time to go home and prepare dinner and take care of the children
So my husband returns home to Greece.
Because the husband’s respect and obedience is a duty.
He works hard and earns money.
So in September 2000 I packed my bags and moved to Britain.
Amory has done well for a stupid person,
I traveled alone to the dormitory.
I started studying computing.
I forgot to say that I had a friend.
Yes, I had a friend.
He was Greek.
I tried to stay with my compatriots.
But family differences were very clear at the time.
Because I was dating anyone outside the country,
And I am seeking a certificate that I am not allowed to obtain.
So at age 24 I had to be officially associated.
At twenty-seven, I had to get married.
I had earned her certification in computing, a graduate degree in education,
I had registered for a doctorate in education.
Until then, nobody said I was stupid.
So I was motivated to complete my studies and my career.
She received her PhD in Education
I got the title “Dr” which everyone was aspiring to.
I had two children at the time, then got a divorce.
You can imagine the reasons for controversies, jealousy, romantic relationships …
She became a single mother of two children, with a good academic career.
My father knew nothing about it.
Six months later,
I decided to tell them my separation from my husband,
And that both of us have gone his way.
It was the first thing my mother said in response
“Well, what did you expect?
Your behavior is bad and you have a career. Did you think it would last? “
I was speechless.
Mom said it! Though she was learning my sadness at the time.
If you are single mother, I lost my friends.
Because you are a single mother.
They ignore your grief.
They ignore all that I have experienced.
They ignore what they have achieved.
You are a single woman.
Do you know what single women do?
They steal men.
They steal husbands.
Do not get close to single women.
At that time I met new people, new friends
Their printing was closer to my work.
But what did we learn from this story?
What did you gain from all that? What can you look like?
I often wonder how I made a mistake? How did my parents sin?
No one has sinned and no one has harmed others.
I just saw the world differently from the way I grew up.
You see the world differently
About my culture and my religion.
So I went and tried to find my way and follow my own dreams.
If we take society as an example
This approach takes place in all aspects of our society.
As an example we have STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
How many women are working there?
There are very few women in special leadership roles.
You sit with a group of men, trying to share your opinion.
The first answer you get is “Well, you’re bad.”
It is our right to feel comfortable when we share our views with anyone.
It is our right to give speeches.
It is our right to wear what we want
Without feeling that from the side of us staring at our bodies.
But how do we change these attitudes?
How can you sit next to someone and expect me to respect you?
You expect to draw his attention
For your eyes, not for your body?
Step by step, step by step, educate yourself.
Then teach our children.
We must accept the fact that we are all biased.
We have to accept that we are all from different backgrounds
And that cultural background in which we lived
Sculpt and form our identity.
We have to stop criticizing the person sitting next to us.
We must try to listen more
For what he is trying to say, rather than listening to the way he says it.
We must accept that we are all biased.
Then slowly, step by step,
We can change society in the future.
I am obsessed with science.
I can sit in front of the computer and write thousands of lines of code.
I am also a woman.
I can put on cosmetics, wear a dress, get out and spin.
I am a mother and take care of my children. I am a friendly and loyal friend.
I am also a human being. Above all, I am a human being.
I have aspirations, I have dreams.
Believe me, be your nature.
Always believe that you can change the world.
Thank.
(clap)
It is an honor for me to stand here on this platform at the age of thirty-seven.
I am well aware that I am approaching forty very quickly.
So, maybe it’s better to tell you a bit about the past.
When I was eight years old,
My teacher told me in front of my classmates and parents
I am stupid and will not accomplish anything in my life.
I do not remember that I cried her day,
What I remember well
Is that I was determined to prove to everyone and especially to my parents
I may be “different” but I’m not stupid.
When I was in school, I was a very polite girl.
I used to learn ballet. I did not raise my voice in my father’s face,
I was doing my job well.
Until a day came when I saw Alice Cooper on television.
Things started to get worse.
My mother quickly asked my father to turn off the television
But it was too late.
I was gradually impressed by loud music.
In 1995, I was 16 years old,
There was a leading model in my school.
It was the first time I sat in front of a computer.
There was a little turtle I could control.
She was going up and down, going to the right and left,
With circles, lines, squares, and anything I wanted.
I went home that day
I asked for my computer as a gift for Christmas.
Can you guess the answer?
“No” great.
We did not discuss it.
I was sixteen years old and I knew what I wanted to do.
It was something to do with computers.
But I was a Greek girl, she would become a Greek woman.
I was not allowed to do that.
I had to get married early and have children as soon as possible
Then I work in the public sector from 9 am to 1 pm
Which gives me enough time to go home and prepare dinner and take care of the children
So my husband returns home to Greece.
Because the husband’s respect and obedience is a duty.
He works hard and earns money.
So in September 2000 I packed my bags and moved to Britain.
Amory has done well for a stupid person,
I traveled alone to the dormitory.
I started studying computing.
I forgot to say that I had a friend.
Yes, I had a friend.
He was Greek.
I tried to stay with my compatriots.
But family differences were very clear at the time.
Because I was dating anyone outside the country,
And I am seeking a certificate that I am not allowed to obtain.
So at age 24 I had to be officially associated.
At twenty-seven, I had to get married.
I had earned her certification in computing, a graduate degree in education,
I had registered for a doctorate in education.
Until then, nobody said I was stupid.
So I was motivated to complete my studies and my career.
She received her PhD in Education
I got the title “Dr” which everyone was aspiring to.
I had two children at the time, then got a divorce.
You can imagine the reasons for controversies, jealousy, romantic relationships …
She became a single mother of two children, with a good academic career.
My father knew nothing about it.
Six months later,
I decided to tell them my separation from my husband,
And that both of us have gone his way.
It was the first thing my mother said in response
“Well, what did you expect?
Your behavior is bad and you have a career. Did you think it would last? “
I was speechless.
Mom said it! Though she was learning my sadness at the time.
If you are single mother, I lost my friends.
Because you are a single mother.
They ignore your grief.
They ignore all that I have experienced.
They ignore what they have achieved.
You are a single woman.
Do you know what single women do?
They steal men.
They steal husbands.
Do not get close to single women.
At that time I met new people, new friends
Their printing was closer to my work.
But what did we learn from this story?
What did you gain from all that? What can you look like?
I often wonder how I made a mistake? How did my parents sin?
No one has sinned and no one has harmed others.
I just saw the world differently from the way I grew up.
You see the world differently
About my culture and my religion.
So I went and tried to find my way and follow my own dreams.
If we take society as an example
This approach takes place in all aspects of our society.
As an example we have STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
How many women are working there?
There are very few women in special leadership roles.
You sit with a group of men, trying to share your opinion.
The first answer you get is “Well, you’re bad.”
It is our right to feel comfortable when we share our views with anyone.
It is our right to give speeches.
It is our right to wear what we want
Without feeling that from the side of us staring at our bodies.
But how do we change these attitudes?
How can you sit next to someone and expect me to respect you?
You expect to draw his attention
For your eyes, not for your body?
Step by step, step by step, educate yourself.
Then teach our children.
We must accept the fact that we are all biased.
We have to accept that we are all from different backgrounds
And that cultural background in which we lived
Sculpt and form our identity.
We have to stop criticizing the person sitting next to us.
We must try to listen more
For what he is trying to say, rather than listening to the way he says it.
We must accept that we are all biased.
Then slowly, step by step,
We can change society in the future.
I am obsessed with science.
I can sit in front of the computer and write thousands of lines of code.
I am also a woman.
I can put on cosmetics, wear a dress, get out and spin.
I am a mother and take care of my children. I am a friendly and loyal friend.
I am also a human being. Above all, I am a human being.
I have aspirations, I have dreams.
Believe me, be your nature.
Always believe that you can change the world.
Thank.
(clap)
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