M aria Trogolo grew up in a community where everyone was scared. Born in Argentina in the mid ’70s, her homeland was in the iron grip of a succession of ruthless military dictators.
Two of her mother’s cousins were among the “disappeared” and babies were regularly stolen from their mums to be given to childless government supporters. It’s a story reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian masterpiece The Handmaid’s Tale. But this is no fiction.
“I grew up in an environment of constant fear – fear that your children would not come home from school,” says Maria, the new programmes director at ChildFund New Zealand. “Fear informed who I was and what I wanted to be.”
It’s no surprise then that Maria, 46, would choose to become a humanitarian lawyer. She continues, “My first memory of going to school was making thank you cards to send to the soldiers in the Islas Malvinas War [also known as the Falklands War]. They were like children themselves – 18-year-olds fighting a war no one understood.”
Her parents, Jose Maria and Cristina, were political activists, but when Maria and her brother Carlos came along, they became more guarded in their activism to protect their children.
“They were traumatised by their own experience of law enforcement abuse,” she says. “They wanted us both to be lawyers, to understand our rights. If we didn’t understand our rights, we couldn’t protect ourselves or others. They gave us everything – a strong education, a thirst for learning and travelling, and open minds.”
This story is from the August 2022 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2022 edition of Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Spotlight on Vitamin D
Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but safe sun exposure is still essential.
Coming up roses
Driven by a renewed interest in the flower’s power, a rose renaissance is dawning.
'I was given a 5% chance of survival'
When Caroline Laner Breure was hit by a car in an horrific accident on a Spanish holiday with her boyfriend, her body and her dreams were shattered. Somehow she found the will to go on living.
Time to celebrate our mothers
Author Kathy Lette gives a heartfelt thank you to her magnificent mum, Val - a baker of fairy cakes with the patience of a saint.
"I am lucky to be here" ”
Since the day she walked onto the MasterChef Australia set back in 2009, Julie Goodwin has openly shared her life. But in writing a memoir, she had to examine the demons she'd battled privately... until now.
JAMIE OLIVER at your service
Returning to the set of MasterChef Australia to help steer a path through grief and spread happiness, the celebrity chef is also at a turning point - he opens up about failure, love, second chances and his endless reservoir of joie de vivre.
From one mum to another
Princess Catherine's public announcement struck a chord with mum-of-two Jane Gillard. She shares her story of parenting through cancer- and offers hope for the princess and mums navigating their own health journey while raising primary-aged kids.
The courage of Princess Catherine "You are„, not alone"
It was a rare personal address that she shouldn’t have had to make. But with conspiracy theories swirling and the slimmed-down “Firm” under fire, Princess Catherine silenced critics with searing courage and dignity.
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
When Tracy Hall fell for Max Tavita, she fell for a mirage. Max was a false identity created by a con man, and Tracy was the latest in a long line of women whose life savings hed stolen.
Amother's GIFT
In December last year, Australia’s first uterus transplant recipient, Kirsty Bryant, gave birth to Henry, a happy, healthy baby boy. The uterus that had made this little miracle possible had been donated by her mother, Michelle. Five months later, their first Mother’s Day since Henry’s birth feels especially precious.