Ode to Josine Fontrodona | Strength and hospitality

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Josine Fontrodona was born in bustling Amsterdam, in the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis hospital, and she spent her first months in the dynamic Bijlmer neighborhood. Her roots lie deep in multicultural Amsterdam, and her heritage is diverse and rich. 
 

Her father, a self-taught car mechanic from Spain, introduced her to a different culture, full of passion, struggle and perseverance. He raised her with the belief that nothing is impossible for a woman. Her father had an enormous influence on her during her youth. He not only challenged traditional gender roles, but also gave Josine the confidence to believe in her own strength. “If I don't have a son, my daughters will have to show what they are made of,” was one of the many sayings my father often repeated. He believed in us, in our strength, and I felt it every day. Whether it was about technical skills, self-reliance or breaking through societal expectations, her father was always the one who encouraged her to strive for more. “You shouldn't be afraid of failing. Failure is only a step towards success,” he always said. That's how I learned not to give up, but to persevere, no matter how difficult it was.”

But Josine's life would not be determined by her father alone. Her mother, a woman of quiet strength, also played a crucial role in her upbringing. She taught Josine the importance of caring, the importance of hospitality and the importance of a warm home. Her mother always felt that the home should be a safe haven for everyone, and Josine learned from a young age to open her heart and her door to others. This idea of hospitality was the basis for much of her later work and vision. “Home is more than a place where you sleep, it is the place where you can be yourself,” my mother always said. This stuck with me, deep in my heart. Hospitality has always been the foundation of what I do.

A new direction

The first major challenge in Josine's life came with her divorce. She discovered that life is often unpredictable and that sometimes it is necessary to move on alone, even when everything around you is falling apart. Her divorce was not only the end of a period, but also an opportunity to reinvent who she was and what she wanted to achieve. “Life is not always what you think it will be. Sometimes you have to choose the direction yourself,” I often reflected. It wasn't easy, but it made me stronger, forced me to take responsibility for my own life.”
 

Her new life as a mother and independent woman thrust her into the role of both caregiver and breadwinner. She was forced to find a new balance between caring for her children and her career, and this brought many challenges. But thanks to the lessons her father had taught her – the belief that she could achieve anything if she worked hard enough – she did not shy away from the challenges. Josine quickly realized that the keys to success often stem from inner strength and tenacity. “You can't wait for perfect circumstances,” I always told myself. “You have to take action, even if it's scary. And you have to do it with everything you've got.”

Education and culture

Josine's own career began in the world of education, but it was her fascination with art and culture that ultimately led her in a new direction. She became an educationalist and education manager at a University of the Arts, where she could combine her passion for both education and art. But her work went beyond just teaching students; it was about empowering people, helping others to reach their full potential. This was at the heart of Josine's mission – to strengthen others, regardless of their background, gender or upbringing. She was determined to create an environment in which everyone could discover their own talents and strengths. “I remember the moments when I saw my students grow, when I could not only teach them something, but also saw them discover who they really were. That was the best part of all: empowering people.”

The time she spent in the Netherlands was also a time when she further expanded her world, mainly through traveling to other countries, including Nigeria. It was there that Josine experienced the deep inequality between men and women, which inspired her even more to commit herself to women's rights. The realization that she had been given so many opportunities in the Netherlands made her even more determined to create those same opportunities for others. “In the Netherlands, I had the chance to find my voice,” I often said. “I want to pass that opportunity on to others, especially to women who have a harder time.”

Josine's family has always played a big role in her life. In addition to her parents, she also had a special bond with her aunt Lies, who never married and lived her life entirely her own way. Aunt Lies was a woman who never let herself be limited by the expectations of others. Her independent lifestyle inspired Josine, who adopted her outlook on life: “Be yourself, don't let yourself be limited by what others think or expect of you.” This message would not only influence her personal life, but also her work and the way she interacted with others. Aunt Lies always had a way of making you feel that you were okay just the way you were. She would say: “You know, Josine, it doesn't matter what others think. You determine your own worth.” That was something I always carried with me.
 

Innovative and welcoming space for artists
 

With the support of her family and the life lessons she had learned along the way, Josine decided to found the Chilly Cabin, an innovative and welcoming space for artists. The Chilly Cabin is not only a place to create, but also to grow and learn, without the pressure of the capitalist system that so often stifles the creative process. Here, people can explore their creative ideas in an environment that offers them the freedom and space to fully express themselves. “The Chilly Cabin is more than a workspace to me, it is a place where you can not only create, but also be,” I often said. “Where you don't have to live up to expectations, but can purely discover what you are capable of.”

Today Josine lives in Grave, but her journey began in the streets of Amsterdam. Hers is a story of resilience, perseverance and love for her family and the people around her. She has never forgotten the importance of hospitality, and her work and life mission revolve around helping others, empowering people and building a community in which everyone feels accepted. “Life is a constant journey,” I often said. “And if we travel together, we can achieve so much more.” Josine knows that life is not a straight line and that the most difficult times often offer the best opportunities for personal growth. Her life is proof that you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself and remain determined.
 

Josine Fontrodona is not only a woman who has pursued her own dreams, but also someone who encourages others to do the same. Her message to the world is simple: Believe in yourself, embrace the power within you, and share your talents and love with the people around you.