Ode to Aslı Özgen | The power of our shared stories

This text was translated using AI and may contain errors. If you have suggestions or comments, please contact us at info.ode@amsterdammuseum.nl.

Aslı Özgen, 42 years old, an academic in film and media history, was born in Turkey and has lived in the Netherlands for ten years. Her story is about resilience, self-discovery and the revaluation of untold histories. When Aslı came to the Netherlands, her ambition was to obtain a doctorate under a female professor who inspired her. She recalls: “It was not my dream to live abroad, but I wanted to learn from someone who gave me strength as a woman in a man's world.”

However, her arrival in the Netherlands marked not only the beginning of an academic journey, but also an intense personal challenge. Shortly after her arrival, she lost her partner, which turned her life upside down.

A new identity in a new country
 

During her first years in the Netherlands, Aslı felt lost in her migrant identity. “I had the feeling that I didn't belong anywhere,” she says. Only later did she learn to embrace this identity as a source of strength and perspective. She realized that migration is not only a physical relocation, but also an inner journey.
 

In this process, Aslı looked back at her family history and found inspiration in the story of her grandmother, who emigrated from Bulgaria to Turkey as a child. “She was only eight years old and had to work as a school cleaner, but she always held her head high.” These stories became a driving force in Aslı's research into the forgotten history of women.

As a scientist, Aslı focuses on the stories that are often ignored in historiography. Her focus is on the role of women, especially migrants, in film and media history. “It is my mission to make the voices of these women audible and to record their legacy,” she says. Aslı's own story and her academic work are closely intertwined. She sees herself as a bridge between generations, mapping the invisible threads of women's lives.

Female resilience

The women who inspire Aslı the most are those who show resilience despite facing great difficulties. Her grandmother, who was a child during her migration, is a source of strength. But Aslı also finds inspiration in other women, such as academics and activists who challenge the traditional division of roles.

In addition, she researches the struggle and activism of migrant women in the Netherlands. “These women are committed to equal rights, better working conditions and social recognition, often against the grain. Their strength and determination command my deepest respect,” says Aslı.

A crucial moment in Aslı's personal journey came during a therapy session, in which she recalled how her grandmother comforted her as a child in a difficult moment. “She was always there, even when I didn't see her.” That realization gave her strength.
 

This insight gave her a deeper understanding not only of herself, but also of the collective experiences of women throughout history. “We all carry the stories of the women who came before us,” says Aslı.

Aslı emphasizes the importance of solidarity between women. “I believe in the power of our shared stories,” she says. She hopes that her work and her story will inspire other women to make their voices heard and find their strength.

Her journey is one of loss, resilience and transformation, and she carries her experiences with pride. “Living in a new country has made me more patient, more courageous and stronger,” she concludes.