Inspirational Maltese Women

In the course of my career, I have met a handful of professionals, most of them being not short of inspiration. For this year's International Women's Day I want to acknowledge some of the many women I happen to know who are truly inspiring on so many different levels. Why today? Because why NOT? There are various amazing women which in my opinion deserve a shout out for being exceptional but I have narrowed it down to eight Maltese women who may not always be in the limelight but I think are inspiring for different reasons.

Starting in no particular order, here are eight inspiring Women for the 8th of March 2025 Women's International Day. Some might have been flying under the radar but in my opinion deserve a loud shout out for inspiring me and others alike.

• Doris Schembri

An Early Years educator by profession who is known for having a loving, playful and truly remarkable way how to integrate her curriculum with endless hands on opportunities. Apart from teaching, she writes stories and poems for young children, some of which we may find in our own classroom libraries too. She is also a doting grandma to Eman who is two and a half years old. Her challenge with parkinsons disease did not diminish her resilience but instead is literally fighting back thru boxing for parkinsons. She took up on this initiative together with Billy Corito (heavy weight champion), after Ms. Schembri researched about different benefits for Parkinsons Disease. While fighting against all odds and conquering through perseverance, she is also a grandma to two and a half year old Eman, who keeps her inspired and motivated throughout furthermore Early Years explorations.

• Adriana Cortis

Having been working in Kindergarten for a while, didn't stop Ms. Cortis from furthering her studies and learning more about what other opportunities are out there. Her perseverance in wanting to increase her own professional development is one to admire. Furthering her studies didn't lead her in loving the Early Years any less. Instead she continued to embrace her role with all her love and innocent pure fun. Her inspiring journey is an admirable one. Rather than giving up on Early Years, Ms. Cortis continued to study, research and improve her own knowledge in education to ensure the best quality of education is provided for the children within her care. Lucky are the ones who come across her fun teachings and learnings.

• Francesca Aguis Vadala

I've always been fascinated by outdoor learning and wish I can do more of, especially after seeing the sheer joy Francesca Aguis Vadala has everytime she implements such an approach with her Early Years students. An educator who takes the classroom outdoors is always a true inspiration and Francesca is an admirable one indeed. The messier the better! Instead of leaning back towards the traditional methods of teaching, an Early Years educator likes Ms. Aguis Vadala inspires us to be more open with what the world has to offer us other than a classroom with four walls. Her patience and determination to include such activities in her curriculum is outstanding, making her Early Years classroom the place to be for a great start towards a brighter future. Her motto is there is no such thing as bad weather but bad clothing.

• Isabelle Zammit

A working mother of two, who kept furthering her studies while juggling work, mother guilt and of course her family. Such women like Isabelle Zammit are always a true inspiration. She is a senior lecturer at the Institute of Community Services, MCAST, teaching psychology and research, while completing a PhD in developmental and social psychology at University College Dublin. Her inspiring research focuses on religious understanding, prosocial behaviour, and social-emotional learning among children, with work published in leading journals. Isabelle has presented internationally at conferences such as the British Psychological Society and the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development. A true role-model who did not let dyslexia stop her. Instead she feels that her magical power in all of this is her resilience, especially in face of failure or disappointment.

• Dr. Louise Chircop

  
  

Presently a lecturer at University of Malta, teaching Sociology of Education, after being a primary school teacher for many years. Her inspiring research often explores issues of diversity and marginalisation, topics which inspire me personally immensely. Dr. Chircop motivates students at a tertiary level, in particular ever so inspiring to those who are preparing to teach young children. Experiencing it first hand, her lectures are life lessons in themselves, giving promising and enriching moments to reflect about the world around us. She is a loving mother of two incredible adults and a recent grandma too. Apart from her inspiring profession, her love for animals is inspirational in itself. She has also been a volunteer at The Island Sanctuary for the last 17 year.

• Rita Gruppetta

  
  

The owner of four equally successful child care centres who seek to embrace nothing but SMILES in young children, while giving opportunities for Early Years to flourish in the best practice possible. Inspiring young children comes from within the heart and Rita has a golden one. A loving mother and equally doting grandmother, Rita inspires anyone she meets. Giving opportunities to endless educators to improve, progress and grow while ensuring that the children in her care have adequate educators to look after them. A true inspiring role-model for anyone who wishes to become an entrepreneur, while not forgetting the roots and values of every Early Years educator.

• Nikita Schembri

An Occupational Therapist by profession but an inspirational young woman to many who know her. Not only is she exceptionally great at her profession, she is absolutely sweet, kind and caring with all her children and equally with the guardians too. Her patience is ever so admirable and the love she has for each individual child within her care, is a beautiful bonding relationship that goes beyond just the love for her profession. She is relatable and down to earth, giving a sense of calm both before and after each playful learning session. Besides specialising in paediatric feeding difficulties, she is currently part of a pilot project to introduce occupational therapy services in mainstream primary schools.

• Marouska Farrugia

  
  

Call me biased but one of my best friends is truly an inspiring woman. After leaving a full days' work, caring and loving for children with remarkable and beautiful abilities, she attends voluntary and with glee to her aunty duties. Caring for twins who are surely young but mighty, brings the best joy. What is more inspiring, is that rather than shying away from being in contact with more young children after her long day at work, she embraces the time spent with her younger family members because she knows well how such connections are essential. Taking ideas from her profession and implementing them with the twins, makes the young children learn through play within a social context. They are learning together without knowing so, while building memories which last a lifetime.

Special thanks to all the women who gave me permission in recognising them in this blog post. They are true testimonials to all women how we can all somehow or another inspire eachother. The above eight local remarkable women are being recognised here because they are not short of motivation, resilience, dedication and love, making them inspirational to anyone who knows them or cross paths with.

Happy Women's Day to all the women who sees other people's potentials, lift others up and above all love unconditionally. You are truly inspirational and NOT just today.