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a8 celebrating int’l women’s day a9
Tuesday 8 March 2022 Tuesday 8 March 2022
March 8 th March 8 th

The evolution of the elderly women of Aruba A look in the life of a teen

From living with kerosene light to choosing movies on Net- With all of its highs and lows
flix. From walking with pargati, to speaking with grandchil-
dren face to face through a smartphone. This is what the To me, that’s one of the best parts about being
grandmas of Aruba have experienced in a relatively short a teen. We have fairly simple responsibilities, and
period. though school can be hard and overwhelming,
some of us are blessed to have friends around us
Today, on International Women’s Day we focus on the to make it easier to get by. We are also in the age
contribution of the generation of women whom we con- where it’s easier and more accessible to go out
sider today as ‘elderly people’. But the group is very di- and try new things, experience something new
verse, some with more challenges than others. But they all every time we go out and explore who we are,
have something in common. They all experienced rapid even though we also face struggles as teens.
development, of culture, perception, among other be-
cause of tecnology which brings about lots of change. One of the things I personally struggle with the most
The generation of Aruban women who were born during is the pressure I feel from knowing that everything
and after Second World War saw their position in Aruba I do as a teen will affect who I am as an adult.
evolve from housekeepers to working professionals. A Every decision I make, will ultimately lead to my
large portion of this generation became the first group of future as an adult, and that can be very hard to
Aruban women who went to school and made a career deal with as a teen. On top of that, we also face
for themselves, be it as teacher, office worker, sales staff. judgment from fellow teens, which causes us to feel
With this change, a lot in this generation also made the It’s undeniably fun to be a teen. These are commonly seen as some of the best pressure about the way we dress or the way look,
choice to have less children, but continued facing the res- years in life, and it certainly is so for female teens. and even the way we act in public. We become
posibility of being the ones who had to raise their children, self conscious, which can lead to a multitude of
many times on their own. But it is from this group that the These are the times in life for self development and self discovery. Not only is our struggles, especially mentally and within ourselves.
activists were born for the bettering of society and equal body growing, but so are our mind and our evolving personality, along with our
rights. tastes and views on the world. Despite all of that, I feel very lucky to be a female
The same way they saw technology develop, this group teen. There are so many women around me and in
of Aruban women cu are now enjoying retirement de- As a teen that goes to school, my days are fairly the same. I wake up at 6:30 and the world who are constantly setting an example
veloped from only being a grandma who is always at get ready to be at school by 7:45. One of the moments I look forward to the most that as a woman there is nothing we can’t
home to take care of her grandchildren or even great- every day, is the little moment I get to spend with my friends before I start the day accomplish. It motivates me and inspires me to
grandchildren. Those who reached advanced age with at school. We meet up at our usual sitting spot, and talk about our previous day grow into the best version of myself that I can be,
good health are ladies who are very conscious of where as well as the long day we’ve got ahead. For the next few hours, my main focus and one day walk among the wonderful women I
they come from and how much potential their daughters, is surviving the day and getting home to my dogs and my TV shows. look up to today.
granddaughters and great-granddaughters have, thanks
in part to their own effort. And they are women who still as-
pire to more knowledge, and as such, are even willing to A day in the life:
learn how to use a ‘smart phone’, because to stop grow-
ing is not an option for them. A day in the life of a female journalist
Illustrative Picture: Maria Francisca Jose-Pimentel, known
as ‘Chica’ (91) who for more than 28 years volunteered
at the Center of Activities for the Elderly, Kibrahacha. Mrs. From Monday to Friday, mi alarm behind the computer and con- To give commentary and infor-
Jose-Pimentel was not involved in the writing of this article. clock goes off at six in the morn- tinue working. mation regarding everything
ing so I can wake up and pre- Afternoons are the most impor- that goes on the island is funda-
pare for a new day. I check all tant part, and these are dedi- mental as a journalist. We must

One Happy Day my social media while I prepare cated to writing and producing have respect for the truth, must
my morning coffee and pan-
chase objectivity – even though
articles, checking on social me-
cakes for my daughter, who is dia if there are any items that sometimes it is not accesible
almost five years old. are more relevant, and also call – and also must separate that
How are you doing? My name is we can give thanks to Father God various persons involved in the which is information from that
Railynn Maria Alvarado Montilla, I for our food, and afterwards we Around 7:30am, I leave the news, including politicians and which is opinion, because a jour-
am four years old, and I’m going to eat. house so I can bring my daugh- members of government. nalist must always have critical
tell you a little bit about what I do ter to school, while I listen to the By the time the work day is over, thinking.
in a day. After school we go home, and morning news on the radio. As which can be in the afternoon or It is a job based on values like
we’re allowed to rest, watch a journalist, you must always be at night, it’s time for me to dedi- empathy, kindness, respect and
Every morning at 6am, the alarm television and play. Sometimes, if up to date regarding news and cate to my family and to myself. sincerity with everyone, even
goes off for mommy and daddy it’s possible, mommy and daddy comments from every side. though there is always criticism
get up to get ready to start the day. take us to the park in the afternoon. Throughout the morning I dedi- The time of a journalist is always from all sides. To work as a jour-
I don’t like getting up so early, so I We like that very very much. When cate my time to writing articles scarce, sometimes we must de- nalist is not a simple job, likewise,
wrap myself in my bedcovers and it starts getting dark, we have to about Latin America and the liver an article in a matter of not everyone who has a cam-
keep sleeping a little longer. But by start preparing for bed. First we most important news from that hours, because it can be a very era and takes up to the streets
6:30am, mommy wakes me up and eat, and then we shower, brush our region. Sometimes I also have important topic that needs to knows what the job is all about.
daddy wakes my sibling up, so we teeth and go to bed. Sometimes to attend a press conference so be published right away. After It’s not enough to talk and give
can start preparing to go to school mommy is nice and lets us watch a I can write a news item for next writing the article, the editor in information about something
and learn something new. bit of TV before we fall asleep. day’s newspaper. chief has the duty to control that that happened, but also you
everything is well redacted and must have knowledge regarding
At school I like to learn, color, Before we sleep, mommy tells By noon I go pick up my daugh- well written, so that the article the law, ethics and professional-
sing and play with my friends. My us a story so we can fall asleep; ter at school, I prepare food so can be published on social me- ism.
favorite game is tag, and I also like we sleep until the sun comes out that together with my husband dia and also appear in the next
ball games. When it’s time to eat, again, and so begins anew one and my child we can sit down edition of the newspaper the fol- Pictured: Bon Dia Aruba journal-
I have to sit quietly at the table so happy day. for a meal. Afterwards I go back lowing day. ist, Andreina Morillo.