When I first came across Marguerite Penrose in an interview on RTE Radio, I was so struck by her attitude to life. She is a consistently positive, inspiring woman with a message of tolerance, inclusion and openness at her heart, despite having experienced debilitating, sustained ill-health and racism as she grew up. An advocate for Black Lives Matter, and very currently, Repeal the Seal, to support the wishes of women and children involved in the Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland, as she herself was born into one and adopted at age 3. Her Instagram is a place of continued support and positivity, created by this woman in her midlife who has clearly chosen the light side of life on which to live, not a dark one of negativity, recrimination and blame. Marguerite is a woman with great grace, and one, very definitely in her heyday…

WHICH THREE ADJECTIVES DESCRIBE YOU BEST?

Compassionate, trustworthy, reliable.

WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND MOST THESE DAYS?

Finding out what I am passionate about and shining a spotlight on issues that are happening around us.

WHAT IS THE LAST THING THAT YOU SAID NO TO?

It's the one area I'm working on, not saying "yes" all the time. So, I recently cancelled something planned because I really didn't have the time to attend, and instead of overdoing it, I put myself first.

WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU SAID YES TO?

Working Christmas morning.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DO WHAT YOU ARE NOW DOING IN YOUR LIFE?

Work-wise - due to redundancy I began a new career in Healthcare, 4 weeks prior to the March lockdown, it was a total career change and less stress.

Campaign-wise – Due to the recent world outrage in relation to BLM and Mother and Baby Homes, I feel I finally found my voice. A voice to let people know how different life can be due to the colour of your skin. Also, having being born into a Mother and Baby Home, I have been part of the Mother and Baby Home investigation which we are now awaiting the publishing of soon. I, like many others, are looking for what is rightly ours; our information, our rights and justice for everyone affected by Mother and Baby homes (birth mothers, children adopted in Ireland/abroad from the Mother and Baby homes and anyone else affected).

HOW MANY THINGS HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR?

Infant, orphan, toddler, sister, child, patient, teenager, adult, statistic and just me!

*Marguerite and her adopted mother, Noeline Penrose.*

WHERE DO YOU COME IN YOUR FAMILY, AND DID THIS HAVE ANY INFLUENCE ON YOU?

As I’m adopted, from my birth parents family, I presume I’m the firstborn. However, since being adopted although I’m three months older than my sister, I am the second child, as my sister was their first child - I only arrived to the family at age three.

WHAT IS THE BEST, AND WORST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED IN YOUR LIFE SO FAR?

The best: Stand in your own power.

The worst: Ignore the hate, it will go away.

WHAT DOES MIDLIFE FEEL LIKE TO YOU?

Whilst no one likes to consider being middle-aged, to me, it came with wisdom, more strength, struggle and determination. Yes, I am older, but as the cliché goes, I am wiser.

Has there been a place, event, or experience that has transformed your ideas and given you a new perspective?

Yes, there have been many! I would say the most recent was back in 2015 when unfortunately I developed type two respiratory failure, my life changed within a matter of hours. I was ventilated and put into an induced coma in ICU, and not expected to live. Having come through this illness, I had such a struggle to become stronger, healthier and get back to life, I knew my time on earth was far from over.

Is there a milestone you are working towards in your personal or professional life at the moment?

Yes, there are two major ones, not to be revealed until they happen!

How do you think the world of work can improve for women?

As women, we need to remember our worth, and after having these conversations with many people, including men, it’s agreed we are the stronger sex. There is no job we cannot do, if we want to. However, it’s important not to lose our sense of who we are in fulfilling our dreams. It's okay to let our emotions show. Being heard is not about being the loudest in the room. Empowering each other is key, and by this, I mean everyone, not just other women.

what do you spend too much time doing?

Too much time dreaming.

what do you spend too little time doing?

Too little time in action!

How do you care for your own wellbeing?

I love mediation, mantra, music and affirmations. I use these different tools to align myself and lower stress and anxiety. Also family and friends are hugely important in my life.

What do you feel free of now that you are at this life stage?

I feel free of thinking that people see me as frail.

What gives you the most stress at this life stage?

That there is so much injustice in the world, and that there are so many people who don’t care about it.

Do you sleep well?

Most of the time, I use guided meditation nightly to unwind and bring me into a calm sleep.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO YOURSELF IN YOUR 20s, 30s, and 40s?

20’s: keep partying, travel more.

30’s: keep partying, work less.

40’s: the struggles won’t be for long and it’s a huge learning curve in life. Keep partying.

Did you ever feel lost in your life path? How did you find your way again?

Yes, many times. I just went with surrendering after some stress with it, and decided “I land where I’m meant to”.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOURSELF?

My strength, ability to communicate and connect with so many people. My brown eyes and my black skin.

WHEN DO YOU FEEL TRULY ALIVE?

When I’m listening to music and with family and friends, or on holidays.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT?

Speaking about my life story and being positive despite some traumatic patches in life.

What was a major turning point in your life?

I would say when I was fostered at three, as this is when my “now life” really began.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE COMING MONTHS?

New ideas and bringing them to life. The end of the Pandemic.

ARE YOU A GOOD FRIEND?

Absolutely.

WHAT IN LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL TO YOU? WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

Human connection. I find inspiration through my family/friends, reading about inspiring people, through music/meditation, and through my own thoughts/feelings which come from my soul’s calling (sounds deep, but it’s true)!

Any regrets?

No, because I believe we are where we are meant to be, and when we are meant to be.

Knowing what you know now, what is most important in life?

Living it, although we should dream ideas, we should be living our life whilst fulfilling our dreams! .

Favourite book, and why?

Lots of inspiring books, however, I think everyone should read, Veronika Decides to Die, by Paulo Coelho – a story of someone who goes from trying to end their life but becomes inspired to live.

Favourite piece of music, and why?

Oh, it’s a difficult one, I’m a huge music fan. I’d probably say U2’s Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own and One.

Last time you cried (tears of joy count!)

Recently, reading more of the Mother and Baby stories.

How do you draw on your own inner strength?

I give myself a good talking too!! When I feel low or “meh”, I have a chat with myself and remind myself of all the good things in my life, the people and things I’ve yet to fulfil. I also allow myself to feel, as there are answers in every situation.

What are your feelings about this new world we find ourselves in now?

It’s a time of change, growth and contemplation, it’s not just about a negative experience. Self-care is important - as in you are responsible for yourself, therefore stay safe and take care of you.

How do you draw on your creativity and productivity in times of stress?

I write ideas, feelings and affirmations in a journal. I increase my meditation to higher my vibration and this gives me great clarity. I run ideas by friends or family if I need an opinion on sometime I’m unsure of.

Has life throughout the pandemic changed anything major for you, or made you reassess your direction at all?

The major change is not seeing family and friends. I’m a healthcare worker, therefore I go to work as normal so I’m grateful for that, as I couldn’t be at home every day. It’s harder than going to work! But it has brought me a lot of thinking time, to put the things I want to accomplish into motion, all be it a slow process. Action is underway.