Interview with Véronique Renard

Véronique Françoise Caroline Renard, born on May 26, 1965, in Jutphaas, Netherlands, is a woman whose life has been a tapestry of grace, courage, and profound transformation. Known by her spiritual name, "Pantau," which she received after a life-changing meeting with the Dalai Lama in 2000, her name means “to be helpful” or “beneficial,” a fitting reflection of her deep dedication to making a positive impact on the world and those around her. Véronique’s journey is not just about the milestones she achieved but about the quiet strength she embodied as she navigated the complexities of her identity. At the tender age of 17, with the love and support of her family and friends, she courageously began her transition into womanhood. Her mother lovingly renamed her Véronique, a name that symbolizes the beautiful, new beginning she embraced. In 1983, she legally changed her name and completed her gender-affirming journey, becoming one of the first people in the Netherlands to undergo gender reassignment surgery. As Véronique embraced her true self, she became a pioneer, someone whose personal transformation touched the lives of many. 

 

Her memoirs, Pantau in India and Pholomolo: No Man No Woman, have been more than just stories, they have been windows into her soul. Through her words, she has shared not only the intimate experience of her gender transition but also the beauty of her spiritual journey. Her time in the Himalayas, where she lived in the presence of the Dalai Lama, was a period of profound inner peace and growth, culminating in the creation of the Pantau Foundation in 2000. This foundation supported Tibetan refugee children, a cause that became deeply entwined with her own heart. Her life has not been without its challenges, but Véronique’s resilience has always shone through. After leaving India, she spent years in Thailand before returning to the Netherlands in 2011 to care for her mother. But it was in 2023 that Véronique took yet another courageous step, moving to Cambodia to bring her vision of Kikiyaya Zen Gardens to life. This serene project is a testament to her unwavering belief in nurturing the soul and fostering peace, both within and around us.

Interview with Ellen Jansen

Get ready to meet the inspiring Ellen Jansen, an inspiring woman from Maastricht, the Netherlands. Ellen is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of Cheappower4U, a company specializing in energy transition solutions for residential construction. She has developed an innovative technique to make sustainable renovations accessible to lower-income households and holds a patent for her invention. In addition to her business endeavors, Ellen is a certified coach and speaker, guiding individuals, teams, and organizations through transformative change. She is also an ambassador for Workplace Pride, a global foundation that promotes workplace inclusivity. In 2023, Ellen published her deeply personal and motivational book, Eindelijk Ellen: De Odyssee van een transgender vrouw (Finally Ellen: The Odyssey of a Transgender Woman), where she shares her courageous journey of living authentically. Ellen’s life and work reflect her belief in the power of transformation, resilience, and self-acceptance. She is a proud advocate for living life true to one's identity while inspiring others to do the same.

 

Monika: Hello Ellen! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.

Ellen: Hi Monika! You’re welcome, happy to share my story.

Interview with Gaby van der Brug

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Gaby van der Brug, a Brazilian-born model living in the Netherlands, beauty queen, and transgender woman that shares her transition story on social media. This year she is going to represent the Netherlands in Miss Trans Star International, a beauty pageant for transgender women, which was first held in 2010 in Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. Hello Gaby!

Gaby: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Gaby: I'm Gabriela but you can call me Gaby. I'm 21 years old, I'm a hairdresser and upcoming model. I have been living in the Netherlands since I was 11 years old.

Interview with Claire Slingerland

Monika: Today I would like to present to you Claire Slingerland, a Dutch filmmaker from Almere, the Netherlands, the director of the documentary "De Oversteek'' (The Step) and owner of film production company Blits Motion, as well as a proud transgender woman. Hello Claire!

Claire: Hello Monika! Thank you for inviting me.

Monika: You seem to be a woman of many talents. Could you say a few words about yourself?

Claire: Yes, I can. I'm a sixty years old woman from the Netherlands. I'm married to my wonderful wife and together we have two grown-up kids. With my team at Blits Motion we make movies for companies. And I'm associated with a foundation wherefore I make documentaries about inclusive and diversity subjects.

I'm now preparing a documentary to pay attention to 1000 to 2000 homeless LGBT young people in my country. They became homeless because they were not accepted by their parents. I want to make people aware of this problem because most people have no idea this is happening in our country. And I want to explore whether there is room within the parents' beliefs to accept their child.

Interview with Geneviève van Lynden

Monika: Today I have invited an inspirational woman. Geneviève van Lynden is a Dutch transgender woman, model, former police officer, mountains lover, and one of the icons of the Dutch transgender movement in the ’80s and ’90s. We are going to talk about her life and transgender experience in the previous century. Hello Geneviève! 

Geneviève: Hi Monika. Let me start by complimenting you on your great initiative. I love that you put so much time and energy into interviewing so many people for many years now. Your website has become a great time document; a resource that is rich in information about the past and presence of the lives of hundreds of transgender women.

You have interviewed so many inspiring transgender women. Like you, I admire many of them. How can I stand in their shadow? Nevertheless, I also have a story to tell and I am honored that you give me that chance.

Monika: Geneviève, you look like a million dollars. How are you doing this?

Geneviève: Thank you Monika. I'm happy and I radiate that, I think. In my younger years - I am now 62 years old - I knew of course that I looked good. At least that's what everyone told me. And I thoroughly enjoyed that. It pleases me that apparently I am still considered attractive to some even today.

Interview with Victoria Caram

Monika: Today I have invited an amazing woman. Victoria Maxima Caram is an Argentinian hairstylist, makeup artist, model, media personality, adult entertainment producer, and former stage performer living in the Netherlands. She is the Executive Director of Miss Trans Star International, a well-known transgender beauty pageant that is held every year in Barcelona, Spain. Hello Victoria!

Victoria: Hello Monika, I feel honored to be here today. I’ve seen so many talented and famous women in your interviews that I still don’t believe I am here.

Monika: You seem to be a woman of many talents. Could you say a few words about yourself?

Victoria: Well I wouldn’t say talents, I am a well-prepared woman, but above everything, I have been persevering with an almighty faith.

Monika: Victoria is a nice name. How did you choose it?

Victoria: In Roman mythology, Victoria was the name of the goddess of victory.

Monika: Before we have a closer look at your amazing professional career, I would like to ask you about your years in Argentina. Did you have a happy childhood there?

Victoria: Not at all, I was a kid with ADHD, so there were moments that even I did not want to be with me, hahaha. I come from the north of Argentina, Tucuman, from a very wealthy family; I went to the best elite schools. My mother is a doctor and my father is a businessman.