Sydney Woman Reclaims her Birthright, 50 Years After Teacher Changes Her Name

More than half a century ago—a baby was born in a barn in a small village called Dolno Srpci, in the then Yugoslavia. She was named Mirjana, her name to mean “Peace on Earth”.

A few years later, she journeyed with her family to a new land, Australia, which would become her home.

In her new country, teachers at the school she was sent to couldn’t pronounce Mirjana, so they decided it was “easier” to call her “Maria”. 

Though the teacher’s decision to change Mirjana’s wasn’t made legal, it was decided she would be called Maria in order to to fit in and be accepted into 1960s Australian society. This name—Maria—remained attached to her for more than 50 years. 

Now, this Australian businesswoman, visionary and changemaker has reclaimed her birthright and no longer associates with, or calls herself, Maria—a name forced upon her at a time when being different was widely unacceptable. 

The Maria chapter has closed, and the Mirjana chapter has opened, she says. 

“Though this is my story, what I am certain of is that the symbolism of this story reflects many stories and indeed the story of humanity,” Mirjana says. 

“Perhaps you’ve been told you can’t follow your dream, or perhaps you’ve been conditioned to think a certain way and live a life to please others in order to feel loved and accepted. Awareness is the key: it empowers you to think differently about yourself and others. It is time to rise up and be the light.” 

Mirjana says people won’t always have a choice as to what they experience, but everyone always has a choice as to how they experience it.

“The essence of that choice lies in a certain kind of forgiveness. But not what most people think about forgiveness, which puts us as the victim. It’s a thought system that puts us at cause and not effect of our life and empowers us to think differently about others and ourselves.” 

She adds: “Experience has taught me to be at cause and not effect, and to never again be a victim of the world. This time, the choice was mine.”

ENDS

Media notes: 

• Mirjana is available to expand upon this subject matter in great depth. If you would like to interview Mirjana, or have a post written specifically for your publication, please contact us. 

• Images of Mirjana as a child are available on request.

MARIA BOZNOVSKA BIO: 

Visionary, thought leader, adventurer, nurturer, game changer and future shaper. Mirjana is shifting consciousness; empowering people to think differently about themselves and others—to “be the light”.

She is also the author, writer, motivational speaker and inspirational woman behind her highly engaged Facebook community, Mirjana.

As a creative strategist, she has a deep knowing and innate ability to encourage people to challenge the status quo, specific to what they believe about themselves and what they have been taught to believe as their truth. 

In her role as a leadership expert, Mirjana works within the corporate sector to "empower the leaders of today", and the education industry to "empower leaders of tomorrow". She is also known for her one-on-one leadership coaching, empowering men and women to embrace their authentic power.

The mum-of-four has personally found profound blessings and gratiude in hardships. She inspires others to do the same through her introspective discoveries, thought provoking blogs, articles, seminars and workshops and lead-by-example journey.

“I’ve dedicated my life to honouring my creative self-expression; and through that, letting my life speak—it is my mission and joy to help others do the same,” Mirjana says.

Most widely known for her conscious leadership, Mirjana guides with a grateful heart while tapping into her gift of vision—the ability to recognise potential in almost anyone and navigate clients towards empowerment and fulfilment. 

As a creative strategist, Mirjana draws on her background in high-level corporate roles and her 22-year accounting business. She understands the importance of self-expression as a key aspect to happiness in the working environment and overall wellbeing.

She says her role as mother is her greatest achievement. Through her conscious parenting approach, she aims to provide a safe space where her children can grow, explore and determine their own truth and path.

Find out more about Mirjana at www.facebook.com/mirjanalight

Media Contact:

Shannon Dunn

shannon@communeco.com