By Laurel B Lujan

A Dublin psychologist has told migrant women that finding their hidden talents can help them succeed in adapting to their new life in Ireland.

Violetta Mooney was guest speaker at an event organised by Migrant Women United at Dublin’s Cairde Centre to help encourage migrant women to acknowledge their unique skills and how they can used them to enhance their lives.

She added that even negative traits can be useful. “For example, being bossy or arrogant can be a talent.”

Mooney has leant her expertise to organisations supporting migrant rights and wellbeing in Ireland for many years, according to Shivonne Du Barry, founder of Migrant Women United – which offers various supports from English language learning and jobseeking to emotional support.

“Every two weeks we have a get together like this and we do different things,” Du Barry said of the latest event. “Sometimes we just talk about issues that are related to our lives.”

In her talk, Mooney cited Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates as examples of famous people who embraced and applied their natural talent to achieve success in their fields. They should be an inspiration to women who in many cases have had to downplay their qualifications and experience when seeking work or other opportunities in Ireland.

Mooney also noted that culture often determines one’s perception on what a given person can do – but migration means a clean slate to explore options that may never have been available in their countries of origin.

“If you actually use your talents, especially your natural talents, you should be four or five times happier than somebody who doesn’t use their talents in their professional, social and personal life,” Mooney said.

Those in attendance spoke highly of the workshop and of Mooney’s advice. “It makes you think about our talents especially when you forgot about them,” said Patricia Mendoza.

Anam Zulfiqar added that Migrant Women United is generally doing great things for her and fellow migrants.

“It builds the bridge [between] the locals and the immigrants,” Zulfiqar said. “These meetings should be encouraged because [they help migrants] trying to figure out their own way of doing things.”