In the picturesque town of Berat, Albania, where the streets weave through ancient houses and rolling hills, a powerful transformation took place between a mother and daughter. Irena, a mother in her early 40s, and her 16-year-old daughter Andia, had always shared a special bond, but their connection had been shaped by the subtle pressures of tradition and unspoken expectations. Though they loved each other deeply, there was always an invisible gap between them, a gap defined by generational differences, gender norms, and differing visions of the world.
Growing up, Irena had experienced a life shaped by the weight of tradition. She had been raised to believe in the importance of family and home, and like many women of her generation, she had put her dreams on hold to focus on raising her children and fulfilling her duties as a wife. She had always dreamed of pursuing a career in business, but societal expectations told her that her role was in the home, not the workplace. Despite her unfulfilled dreams, Irena believed deeply in the value of hard work and sacrifice, and she imparted those lessons to Andia.
Andia, however, was a different soul. Growing up in a time of more freedom and possibility, she had her own dreams, dreams that stretched beyond the boundaries that had once confined her mother. Andia wanted to be a scientist, to explore the world beyond their small town and contribute to the global conversation on climate change. She knew, however, that her aspirations might be met with resistance from both her peers and her family. In their community, girls were often expected to follow traditional paths—becoming mothers, caretakers, or working in more “appropriate” fields. But Andia refused to let these expectations hold her back. She wanted to prove that girls could dream big, and more importantly, that their dreams mattered.
When they first heard about the “EmpowerHer: Mother-Daughter Clubs” project, both Irena and Andia were skeptical. Irena wasn’t sure how a project focused on gender equality and personal dreams could fit into her life. She had lived through a time when women didn’t question their roles—they simply fulfilled them. Andia, on the other hand, worried that her mother, with her traditional views, might not fully understand the discussions about breaking societal barriers and chasing dreams. They were unsure if this would be a project for them, but something about it intrigued them both. It was an opportunity for them to explore new ideas, learn together, and perhaps even grow closer.
At the first meeting, Irena and Andia walked into a room filled with other mothers and daughters, some of whom seemed just as hesitant as they were. The conversations started slowly, with women sharing stories of their childhood and the roles they were expected to play as young girls. At first, Irena and Andia kept to themselves, but as the discussions evolved, they found themselves drawn into the conversations. The group talked about the power of dreams, about how society often discourages women from pursuing careers and passions outside of the home. They discussed the pressures they faced to fulfill expectations, even at the cost of their own happiness.
It was during one of these discussions that Irena, who had always been reluctant to talk about her own regrets, shared a deeply personal story. She revealed how, as a young woman, she had dreamed of becoming a businesswoman, of running her own store and making her own decisions. But those dreams had been quietly extinguished by the pressures of marriage, motherhood, and the cultural belief that women should prioritize their families above all else. For Irena, speaking about this dream for the first time in decades was both liberating and painful. She realized that part of her had always longed for a different life, but she had sacrificed it for what she believed was the greater good of her family.
Andia, listening to her mother’s words, felt a deep sense of empathy and understanding. She had always admired her mother’s strength and resilience, but hearing about her unfulfilled dreams made Andia question the assumptions she had about her own future. Andia had grown up believing that her dreams were valid and important, but she had never fully appreciated the weight of the sacrifices her mother had made. She realized that for her to pursue her own dreams—whether in science, art, or any other field—she would need to honor the struggles that women like her mother had faced.
As the weeks went on, Irena and Andia grew closer through their shared experience in the club. They began to open up more, discussing their hopes and fears in ways they hadn’t before. Irena became inspired by the younger women in the group, who were boldly pursuing careers and aspirations that were once considered unconventional for women. She saw in them the same drive and determination that Andia carried in her heart, and for the first time in years, Irena felt the stirrings of a dream that had once been buried.
Irena and Andia began to talk more openly about their respective futures. Irena, who had always seen herself as simply a mother and a wife, began to entertain the idea of pursuing a small business venture, perhaps in the fashion industry, something she had always loved but never allowed herself to pursue. Andia, encouraged by her mother’s newfound openness, began to share her ambition to study environmental science abroad, believing that her voice could contribute to finding solutions for global issues.
One of the most transformative moments of the project came during a group activity where participants were asked to reflect on their dreams and how they could support one another in achieving them. Irena spoke passionately about the importance of supporting her daughter’s dreams, vowing to stand by her as she pursued her education, regardless of how difficult or unconventional it might be. Andia, in turn, expressed her gratitude for the lessons her mother had taught her about resilience, sacrifice, and the value of family.
The final meeting of the program was emotional. Irena and Andia stood together, surrounded by their fellow participants, and spoke about the ways in which their relationship had changed. Irena no longer saw herself as simply a caretaker; she saw herself as a woman with dreams, possibilities, and a role to play in shaping the future. Andia, now more confident than ever, was ready to chase her dreams and make her mother proud. They had bridged the gap between their generations, understanding that both the past and the future held valuable lessons for them to share.
By the end of the program, Irena and Andia had become champions for change within their own community. Irena spoke at local events about the importance of supporting women in business and education, and Andia led workshops at her school, teaching her peers about the power of gender equality and the importance of following their dreams. Through their journey, they not only strengthened their bond but also became symbols of how a mother and daughter can walk together toward a future built on mutual respect, shared dreams, and collective action.
“EmpowerHer: Mother-Daughter Clubs” had done more than just create conversations—it had created a space where Irena and Andia could see each other through new eyes, understand each other’s struggles and aspirations, and begin to create a future that was freer, more equal, and full of possibility. In their shared journey, they had discovered that the path to equality was not just about individual dreams, but about the power of family, community, and the collective strength of women supporting each other. Through this shared experience, Irena and Andia had built not just a stronger relationship, but a foundation for social change that would ripple through future generations.
Note: For the purpose of maintaining anonymity, the names have been changed. Meanwhile, the entire story is based on real experiences.
This story was written as part of the project “Empower Her: Uniting generations to bring change”, financially supported by the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of the U.S. Embassy in Tirana.