Ode to Peggy Drissen | Seeking connection from their own roots

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Peggy Driessen, a woman with deep roots in the Achterhoek region, carries her personal experiences and her family's history with her as a living legacy. Raised in a small town near the German border, she found her home in Amsterdam, a city that offered her the space to find her own path. “My identity is a mixture of my origins, my search for self-discovery and the relationships I have built along the way,” Peggy says.
 

For Peggy, Amsterdam is more than just a city. For her, it symbolizes growth, challenge and contrast. “The city offers so much space to develop yourself, but at the same time it also shows you how layered and diverse life is. Every neighborhood has its own stories and rhythms, and I feel privileged to be part of that,” she says. After studying in Utrecht, Peggy discovered Amsterdam during an internship. “The city had an energy I hadn't experienced before. Here I found my passion for graphic design and began my professional journey.”

One of the most profound moments in Peggy's life was a medical diagnosis that turned her world upside down. “It started with a routine checkup, but before I knew it I was at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, wondering if I had cancer. That uncertainty was paralyzing,” she recalls. After surgery, the good news came: it turned out not to be cancer, but a benign myoma. The experience was a turning point in her life. “It was a reality check for me; I realized how valuable health is and how important it is to slow down and live more consciously.”
 

Although the crisis initially brought fear, it also brought a deeper sense of gratitude and appreciation. “I felt so supported by the wonderful hospital staff and realized how important community is, even in times of isolation,” Peggy says. Sharing her experience with others has given her strength and deepened her insights. “I want other women to know that it is okay to be vulnerable and that even in difficult situations, there is always something positive to be found.”

Amsterdam has always meant more to Peggy than just a place to live. The city is a melting pot of cultures and stories, and this is also reflected in her work. “In my professional life, I meet women from all corners of the world. This enriches not only my perspective, but also my creativity,” Peggy says. Still, she notices that there is sometimes a gap between the different communities within the city. “I hope that the diversity of Amsterdam will eventually create more connectedness, that we will look more at what binds us instead of what separates us.”
 

Her mother, who has Indonesian and Chinese roots, plays an important role in this. “My mother always taught me to look beyond superficial differences. She emphasized that our common values connect us even if our backgrounds are different.” Peggy considers these lessons essential in her daily life and work.
 

Unraveling family history
 

The search for her family history has recently taken Peggy on a deeper journey. “My grandmother Glory, whom I never knew, has always been a mystery to me. She died young in the Dutch East Indies, and her story always remained a blank chapter in our family history,” she says. The process of discovering her roots is a way for Peggy to express her respect for her mother and the women in her family. “What they went through resonates in me and my children. It's not just about traditions, but about a legacy that is deep in your heart.”
 

Resilience and inspiration
 

Peggy's mother has always been an important source of inspiration for her. “My mother is the example of strength and adaptability. She taught me that resilience is not only about survival, but also about continuing to dream and grow even in the midst of the greatest challenges,” Peggy tells me admiringly. It is this resilience that Peggy brings to her life on a daily basis, helping her to keep following her own dreams no matter what obstacles she faces.
 

Peggy Driessen is an example of resilience, reflection and connection. Her journey from the Achterhoek to Amsterdam, her experiences with challenges and her search for her family history, are a testament to her determination not just to survive, but to actively grow, make connections and discover her identity. Her story inspires us to reflect on our own roots, remain resilient and believe in the power of connection.