Ms. Marcela Trandafir, who recently transitioned. Ms. Trandafir was part of our Circle, a wonderful human being – an inspiring model of grace, discretion, wisdom and devotion. Generally speaking, such moments allow people to be reflective and revisit dear memories, and definitively... such moments instantly make you feel more in tune with those around you, allowing for a deeper community connection.
Without any doubt, she will be deeply missed
by many!
Then
our evening nicely continued with the chosen theme of the day…this time, the program was featuring a very special keynote speaker – Ms. Celestina Popa (Celestina Popa Gymnastics), who is a distinguished Romanian artistic gymnast, World and
Olympic medalist. Ms. Popa generously shared with the group a number of
significant concepts about sports, discipline, resilience, endurance,
creativity, non-stop learning and adaptability.
Also, my distinguished guest was Hon. Ştefana Rotaru, Deputy Consul General and Minister
Plenipotentiary of Romania in Canada, who nicely congratulated this initiative,
and expressed her appreciation for the ongoing commitment of our Circle to
promote the Romanian values, arts and culture.
The
event, held via modern technology, allowed the attendees to engage with the
speaker and the guest of honor in a very pleasant manner.
For this occasion, 27 persons confirmed attendance, plus 5 were pending, but
after all we ended up being only 17 people.
Our extensive group conversations were heart-felt and to the point, highlighting the
importance of recognizing the ongoing contributions of women in shaping
society, while reinforcing the message that women’s voices and stories are
central to a more sustained cultural and social development…only collective
action could drive to really meaningful changes in the world. The gathering was concluded on a warm note, wishing each-other
only the best for the spring that’s yet to come!
Until next time,
my warmest regards dear ladies, and once again: Happy
International Women’s Day!
●
For your edification, here are some
facts about my key note speaker for this evening – Ms. Celestina Popa:
–
Celestina received the "Master of Sports"
Decoration, and in 2013 she became an honorary citizen of the Romanian city, Ploiești.
–
Here
are a few video clips featuring Celestina Popa at Worlds Gymnastics
Championships & Olympics:
Ø Celestina Popa:
1985 - World Gymnastics Championships
Ø Celestina Popa:
1987 – World Rotterdam; team optional for women (her floor exercise)
Ø Celestina Popa:
1988 – Seoul Olympics (her floor performance)
Ø Celestina Popa:
1988 – Seoul Olympics (her beam performance)
Ø Celestina Popa:
1988 – Seoul Olympics (her unequal parallel bars performance)
Ø Celestina Popa:
1988 – Seoul Olympics (her gymnastic vaulting performance)
●
Personalities: since the focus of
this meeting was International Women’s Day, here I’m glad to share with
you some famous women who changed the world.
✰ Few
prominent ROMANIAN WOMEN:
– Hariclea Darclée (1860 – 1939):
was a famous and talented Romanian opera singer…the first female singer that
had a lead role written especially for her
– Cella Serghi (1907 – 1992):
was a Romanian writer,
publicist and translator
– Irina Burnaia (1909 – 1997):
was a Romanian lawyer, best known for he works as an aviator…she was the first
female pilot to fly across the Carpathian Mountains.
✰ Few
prominent WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD:
– Jane Austen (1775 – 1817):
was an English writer, primarily known for her 6 novels, which implicitly
interpret, critique and comment on the English landed gentry at
the end of the 18th century (Pride and
Prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey). She wrote at a time when female writers were not encouraged, helping
pave the way for future writers.
– Simone de Beauvoir (1908 – 1986): was a French existentialist philosopher,
writer, social theorist, and feminist activist. Though she did
not consider herself a philosopher, nor was she considered one at the time of
her death, she had a significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist
theory.
– Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014):
was an American multitalented memoirist, essayist, poet, and civil rights activist; she received dozens
of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Best known for her acclaimed 1969
memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.
●
Our PRESS RELEASE featuring International Women's Day 2026, and published on the
official social-media platform of our Circle
● Previous
events I organized on the same theme: Socializing – INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN’s Day: 2025, 2024, 2023,
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
●
Some
of my additional greetings referring to the same matter: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day! – March 8: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
