Lessons From Our Mothers: The Strength To Succeed
United States of America

My family’s journey across continents has given me the strength to know that I can adapt to any situation, whatever the circumstances and whatever the views of others. These lessons apply to all women: what makes us stronger is knowing who we are, not relying on how others define us.
The train driver announced the last stop in a language I didn’t understand. My father and mother stood up with my brother, a toddler, in one arm and luggage in every other. I was a 14-year-old, hating every moment of this journey. What I didn’t know then was that this was the first of many journeys that would make me the woman I am now.
I spoke only Russian and was forced to live as a stranger in a strange land because we were not welcome in the one I was born into. It was 1992 when I arrived in the beautiful city of Groningen in the Netherlands from the industrial city that I used to call home – Kazan in the former Soviet Union. The fall of the USSR had happened months before and led to the migration of many families like ours in search of a new home.
Courage comes from many places. Mine came from stories that my grandmother, Gita, told me. During the train ride to Groningen, I remembered what Gita had told me of her mother, Faina, rushing Gita and her sister to the train station in Mariupol, Ukraine as the Nazis overran the country looking to intern the Jews, Gypsies and other “undesirables”. It was 1941 and nothing was certain for them. Faina didn’t know whether her daughters would make it across the border to Russia, but she knew what would happen if they stayed in Ukraine. This was not a choice, it was a desperate act.
Left to right: Gita (grandmother) and Faina (great grandmother)
Faina decided to stay in Ukraine as long as possible. She was a head pharmacist at the local hospital and believed she had to care for the patients there. She was led to believe that she was considered “essential staff” and would not be taken in by the Nazis. Things got worse over the next few months as no one was essential in the Nazi’s “final solution.”
After seeing other members of the family killed or taken to internment camps, she decided to flee and look for her daughters who were now more than 1,600 km away in Kazan. She arrived safely three months after her daughters but the loss of family and the journey had taken its toll on her. Life would never be the same for our families as we were always visitors in our new home.
Faina and Gita’s stories influenced me in two major ways. First, I was determined to succeed no matter what. I wanted to make them proud that their struggles had given me the courage to seek success whatever the circumstances. Second, I wanted to dedicate myself to helping others, whether they be patients or people who needed the strength to find the path to success.
I learned fluent Dutch within months of arriving in Groningen though I never lost my heritage or mother-tongue. I wanted to become a pharmacist like Faina but, to do so, I had to excel in my studies. With my parent’s moral support and a belief in myself, I gained a Masters of Science (MSc) in Pharmacy, followed by a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) and finally a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Analytical Chemistry studying anti-cancer drugs.
Yet these academic accomplishments did not fulfil me. I knew that I could help more people by working on promising new drugs. So, I joined the pharmaceutical industry and worked in many different roles, from research and development to medical affairs and compliance. Along the way, I was blessed to meet many great mentors and friends who taught me and guided me. Now, when given the opportunity, I guide and support promising people in return.
As a woman, I know it is not always easy to make the mark in the way a man can. However, I don’t use that as an excuse but rather as motivation to push forward through obstacles. Being a wife to a caring and supportive husband and a mother to three wonderful children gives me the strength to look for solutions no matter what the circumstance. At work, I know that what I do makes a difference in every life that our medicines touch, from heart disease to cancer to pregnancy. What I do is part of the solution to better lives.
How I behave as a female executive also influences other women to strive for success. When I mentor women, I learn their life story and hear about what they feel gets in their way. Most of the time, it is their own perception of what others feel about the limitations of being a woman. This struggle for women to feel empowered about who they are – not shaped by how others define them – is one that still continues as we aim to break the glass ceiling.
Life has taken me from the Soviet Union to the Netherlands to the United Kingdom and now to the United States. I’ve come a long way from where Faina, Gita and the others started out but I know that all of us have always followed our north star, pursuing success not just for ourselves but for our families and children and the other lives we touch along this journey of life.
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This is so fun! What a great idea. Also I love how authentic you seem to be. Your style and passion for blogging is contagious. Thank you for sharing your life!
bloxorzthank you for Your kind words. You are absolutely right. Hopefully, all our stories will inspire and give strength to others to fulfill their dreams... warm regards, Liia
Thank you! I hope it does inspire people and gives them courage to follow their dreams.
Kind regards,
Liia
thank you for your kind words. Indee,d you are absolutely right!
Liia
Thank you for your note! Actually, I would not change a thing in my life. Everything that happended, made me stronger, more wise and kind and more appreciative of all the opportunities and challenges that are presented in front of us.
warm regards,
Liia
Liia
Thank you. Your story has renewed my determination not to give up regardless of the circumstance i find myself and to believe in my dreams no matter what others are seeing.
Wonderful to hear from you and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am very happy the story has inspired you and I am sure that everything that is happening in yoir life is dor a reason that will make you stronger and will allow you to pursue your dreams.
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for such wonderful note and your compliments. I feel honored that you will use this as an inspiration and hopefuly many woman can use this and find their strenght in difficult times.
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind note. We have this in all of us and when we look inside ourselves, we can find the strengh to do anything we want.
Warm regards,
Liia
I am so touched at how much you appreciate your mother, thank you for appreciating her.
I am looking forwrad to reading your story, I truly am. So many people in this world go through similar situations as you are. Please share your story - it will inspire others and give them strengh. I also went through divorce and was a single Mom for some time untill I found the Love of my Life. You sound like a very strong, independant and caring woman.
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind note.
Warm regards,
Liia
Warmest regards,
Liia
My learnings from your story is that, life can take one to any part of this world, but you need to be focussed.
Thanks for your contributions in uplifting women.
Ifeyinwa.
We shall not give up!
Your story is very inspiring, heart-felt and honest. Story such as this help you learn from and about each other. I believe in sharing an intergenerational experience and mentorship because it could bring many wonderful benefits: fresh perspectives on personal challenges, enhanced decision-making skills based on culture and tradition, greater interpersonal strength, and increased confidence. The best impact of reflection when you thought- if my great grandparents, grandparents and parents have not undergo this experience, I might not be who I am today?
Thank you for your kind words. Indeed, I do mentor many young woman and show them how they should belive in themselves, in their strenght, work and study hard and the world will be theirs to concur!
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind words.
Warmest regards,
Liia
ur dreams, not just for ourselves but for others too....now her story could affect or has affected a million lives just because she chose not to give up....and yes, she's a WOMAN
Thank you - wonderfully said! There goes the 'glass ceiling"!
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your note and kind words. You are very right, by being a role model/an example, our daughters and sons will want to follow it.
Warm regards,
Liia
Very well said!!
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind words and being open to it. Wonderful to hear that the story has inspired you. You are amazing!
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kidn words!
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for sharing your story with our community! The particular part that inspires me is when you say that woman has to be determined by what she truly is and not by how the others define her!
Thank you for your kidn words and pointing out the comment that inspired you. Absolutely, by seeing ourselves for what we are give us that strenght, focus, happiness and perserverance.
Warm regards,
Liia
https://www.amazon.com/Success-Sixteen-Lessons-Napoleon-Hill/dp/1617201782
warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind words. I am honored that the story inspired you and motivated!
warm regards,
Liia
Thank you! Exactly!! There are hard and difficult times but all that will pass.
Warm regards,
Liia
Have the stregth to succeed and be determined to succeed. Never give excuses for your failures. Be a problem solver. Always feel empowered about who you are and not about how others define you.
So well said - exacly! Love your summary and wise words!
Liia
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you so much!
Liia
The more role models we have, the more opportunities women have to see themselves, and to think about
how to best create a life that works.
Very well said! the "glass is not shattered" yet and there is so much to do!
Liia
Thank you for your kind and sweet words. I re-read your posting a few times and this again reminded myself that indeed we will only be remembered by others when we helped them either with a kind word or deed. It is the greatest achievemnet.
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind words! warmest regards,
Liia
Thank you for your wise words. I fully agree with you and indeed those times are long gone. We need to do everything we can and support woman who live in the countries where it is still considered ,normal'.
Warmest regards,
Liia
We, women, travel through life's journey and have some amazing stories to share.
Warm regards,
Liia
Great words of wisdom,
Thank you for sharing- This has given me a Ahhah moment. We need to strive for bigger things in our lifes and never doubt our own abilities and capabilities.
Yours in Women Empowerment
Thank you for your kind words and you made me very emotional and humbled with you warm and wise note.
Kind regards,
Liia
Let's share our beautiful stories,in them we carry,laugh,feel pain,learn and move on to better woman hood.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Indeed, share your story!
warm regards,
Liia
Also,how many women are in positions that do not fulfil them and have had the courage and means to chase their passion and dreams?
Thank you for sharing the quote - absolutely wonderful! You are right, many many woman find themselves in similar circumstances but dont have the means or support to move further.
warm regards,
Liia
I feel I am in the world for a humanitarian purpose, to speak for people who cannot speak for themselves, to protect and guide people especially the young ones who need a mentor, a carer and a guide in the pursuit of livelihood in their existence.
I hope to be able to effect the changes that I have in my mind for my people and for the world; Peace, Equity, Love, Care, Attention and Encouragement. I hope to touch and impact on people's lives, especially the young girls, children, and older people by providing care when and where they need it.
Thank you Liia.
Thank you so much for sharing YOUR story in such honest and inspiring way. I wish you lots of strenght and success on your life's journey.
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind words!!
Warm regards,
Liia
Thank you for your kind words - I feel honored by your description and empowered and motivated to do more of this. You are so right. Thank you for your inspiring words!
Liia
Thank you for you kind words. Indeed, imposisble is nothing! You reminded me once again!
warm regards,
Liia
Thank you so much for your inspiring note. I fully agree, see life as a sea of opportunities and we can do and achieve anything.
Warm regards,
Liia
warm regards,
Liia