Ode to Marlanda Coco | Her dedication, courage and independence

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

Dear Marlanda,

Ode letter to a woman in my life who inspired me in different phases.

Friends, many people come and go in every person's life. Some people leave a deep impression in a person's life. Throughout the world, there are many inspiring women whose passion, work and influence in the community encourages us in many ways. With this letter, I'm going to introduce you to a woman in my life who has truly inspired me tremendously. This is an Ode letter to a woman in my life who has inspired me at various stages. Her name is Marlanda Coco. Marlanda has been a member of various volunteer organizations for more than 30 years. In recent years, I have gotten to know Marlanda very well.

Marlanda is actively involved in several volunteer/social organizations. Since 2006 she has been involved in the new law: Wet Maatschappelijke Ondersteuning (WMO,  Social Support Act ). This legislation means that with help from the municipality and people around them, people can live independently for as long as possible. Through the municipalities there was no information about the new law, therefore she was driven to write a handbook: "What is the WMO". Intended for anyone who had questions about the WMO. Where to go with your questions about the WMO? About applications WMO facilities for the household, disabled and also for those who can not so easily or cannot use the daily digital highway "Internet". This book was presented to Alderman Marijke Vos. The union FNV Vrouwenbond who took it on sale at the time.

During her administrative trajectory in The Hague, a District Chair of Amsterdam East approached her and asked why she was not entering politics. From that moment she decided that this was the moment for her to get involved, to think and decide for people who are not or less able to do so themselves. She founded a WMO council i.o. and was also chairman in the former Stadsdeel Zeeburg, now Amsterdam Oost. Because she felt that this new law was a disguised government austerity measure.

She has also made herself very deserving as a volunteer for several national organizations through her contributions to selflessly supporting, coaching, founding Neighborhood Women Network Amsterdam Oost for a better, living and working climate in her District. About Clean and Environment. This is also important to encourage children to read and inform about fire prevention and safety. Her efforts as NT2 teacher of Dutch lessons for non-native speakers and NT2 teacher of Dutch as a second language for the visually impaired and blind. Further participation and economic independence of women. Also her commitment to (lonely) elderly and also lonely young people. Through her knowledge, courage, approach and decisiveness she inspires others and is a role model for many. Among others: young people, the elderly, volunteers, women especially Black, Migrant and Refugee Women and men. She supports people to take control mainly women to be financially and economically independent. Gives information/presentations, Dialogue meetings, workshops and Coaches. She offers support and gets residents to the right agencies or social institutions. She stands up for residents who are not able to do so themselves or are less able, works together with (Migrant) organizations. Marlanda Coco is a connector.

She is a member and active member in the PvdA (Labour Party). A social democrat by birth, she has stood up for the socio-economically disadvantaged in our society for years. The party is a party that stands up for everyone. For her, the basic principles of the PvdA are solidarity - solving problems together - and emancipation - giving people the opportunity to develop themselves. These principles were instilled in her from an early age by her parents. Not everyone gets opportunities, or seizes the ones that are available. Her concern is therefore how to empower others to see those opportunities and do something with them!

Recently, she organized a freedom meal on May 5, 2024 from the Neighborhood Women's Network foundation. Her foundation has been organizing freedom meals for lonely elderly and young people since 2014. She is currently working on a project for Older Migrants with chronic illnesses and disabilities.  In a Co-creation setting organized by Leyden academy in Leiden in research phase and financed by the wealth fund RCOAK. Because this target group is a forgotten group.

I believe that Marlanda's has excellent character and her desire to succeed into an excellent and successful woman. Not only me, but she is an inspiration to many women. During the FNV Women's Union director's class in 2009, led by Tineke van der Kraan, she inspired me very much. Then she told me all she did for black migrant women and how dedicated she was. Really a great lady, she inspired me at that moment. I wanted to be like Marlanda Coco. Her dedication, courage and independence I learned from her. Marlanda Coco taught me that no dream is too big, that you cannot achieve it. Through hard work, patience and courage, you can always achieve your goal.

Thank you so much for that Marlanda,

With warm greetings,

Ruth Richardson