I Got the Cover Story for DWC Magazine!

From DWC Magazine’s cover, June 2025

I come from a line of extremely strong, resourceful women. My mother immigrated to the United States at age 16, having graduated from university early. She sought a master’s degree in finance and a better life here, becoming an executive at a Fortune 500 company, at a time when few women were allowed in such positions.

My grandmother followed her daughter here after I was born. My mother worked full time and my grandmother came to help take care of me. She gave up a life of financial privilege back home. Although she was a teacher in the Philippines, she became a domestic worker in the U.S. to supplement her income. Often, professional degrees earned in the Philippines do not translate to commensurate work in the United States.

Both women taught me a great deal. They shared their hard-fought life lessons with me and encouraged me daily. My grandmother had to flee a hospital hours after giving birth to my mother because the Japanese were bombing it at the time during World War II.

My grandmother gave me financial rewards for all of my good grades and a car when I turned 16. They instilled confidence in me, and I grew up thinking I could achieve anything to which I set my mind and persevered. They cheered my every achievement and gave me what they could to support me.

After graduating from a top-ten law school, I became a successful attorney at one of Washington, D.C.’s largest law firms. I later became a political appointee in the Clinton Justice Department. Although following the professional path that I followed was more to fulfill my mother’s dream than mine, it has afforded me wonderful and rewarding opportunities. 

After reaching midlife, I added my own dreams to my repertoire. I became a journalist, author, public speaker and podcaster. Each afforded me the chance to pursue long held areas of interest. After raising my children, I had more time to focus on personal avenues of joy. I became acutely aware that I had lived more of my life than I had ahead of me, and became more intentional about how I spent my time.

I kept my law job, part-time, and set off on new paths. While my legal job still is the most financially rewarding, my other gigs are more personally rewarding. I feel fortunate to have the ability to pursue these other avenues of growth and giving back.

My daughter is even stronger than I am. She, too, was given advantages neither my grandmother nor my mother enjoyed. She had even more opportunities than I had. She has chosen to use her gifts to help others as a social worker, a profession I do not believe I could do. She is empathetic, caring and wise, and I have no doubt that she will help a great deal of people. She already has.

I know I would not have achieved my successes without the support and example of my maternal relatives. They each overcame obstacles and taught me how to do the same.

My obstacles differed from theirs. My mother had to fight overt racism in the U.S., even being forbidden by Maryland law in 1962 from marrying my white father. It was not until 1967 until the U.S. Supreme Court deemed such laws unconstitutional.

I was a victim of sexual assault and abuse, and became an alcoholic. The road to sobriety was arduous, but I found a way. I am now 12 years sober and mentor other women alcoholics. My mother and grandmother were not familiar with the challenges of alcoholism, but my sober sisters loved me until I could love myself.

If you do not believe you are from a strong line of women, remember that you can choose your own family. My sober sisters are part of my chosen family. Surround yourself with women who inspire and encourage you. Be intentional about with whom you spend your time. Your choices each day become your life. You, too, can emerge from a strong line of women.

Maria Leonard Olsen - Author

Attorney, TedX Speaker & Podcaster

Maria Leonard Olsen practices law as a commercial litigator in Washington, DC.  She is an author (50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life), podcaster (“Becoming Your Best Version”), journalist, TEDx speaker (“Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force for Good”), book marketing coach for female authors and mentor to women in recovery. 

Maria served as a political appointee in the Clinton Justice Department and on numerous boards.  She writes for several women in midlife publications (including AARP's The Ethel, The Midst, KuelLife and CrunchyTales) and is a frequent public speaker on wellness issues.  Her next books will be DNA Test Surprises: What To Do Before and After You Open the Pandora’s Box of Consumer DNA Testing and 60 After 60: Finding Serenity in Your 60s or at Any Age. 

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Source:

https://dwcmagazine.com/a/blog/category/june-2025-issue-week-2