Women of the same lineage do not have the same last name. But each one of them personifies her own first name with the energy they put into inventing a life up to their expectations.
The Women & Ambition think-tank is pleased to feature four generations with five women of the same lineage.

They have made and are making their own ways, fed on a vitality drawn on the same source pushing them to outdo themselves... Where do they get that ambition passed from one generation to the next and making them the skippers of their own ships? For as long as it can be remembered, the family has been gathering regularly around a woman who was a great cook and brought together many people around her table. Do not see in that history any will to do without men: their love is too precious. That’s only the result of wars that decimated them and genes that make women reach an advanced age in full possession of their faculties.

On that family breeding-ground, these women have developed the taste for the present, enhanced everyday by memories of forbears related without any taboo and to heart’s content in every detail sometimes very blunt and even crude. Sharing laughs and pains in these conditions inspires trust in the values transmitted by elders. Participating in these colorful evenings from the earliest days with good food combined with the pleasure to be together is enough to fuel the desire to go ahead. Being part of such a big loving family undeniably gives strength. And later, when facing headwinds, away from loved ones and in trouble, you find your own inner ability to identify the side track and a different inspiration to keep on moving forward.

Russia is the common theme. For the first generation, Russia goes with love. After being torn away from her mother and her aunt, the first of these women turned away from her dear Belle-Ile and Paris, she left everything in a frenzy to get back to the man of her dreams,in Russia. Her father fallen on the battlefield in 1914 was not here to hold her back. The second one was born in Russia and was back in France at the age of 5. She chose to live with an artist and nothing could have separated them. And nothing has prevented her to build a professional career in a field done for her. The third one went back to Russia to follow the footsteps of her grandmother, finding a new source of inspiration to fulfill herself. The fourth generation got her bearings there without being hampered by memories.

These four generations illustrate the loyalty to family traditions that has room for your whims and fancies on the road to your own pleasure, happiness and self-fulfillment. Another embodiment of ambition?

Lucile Gubler (56)

Ambition is: « to live your passions while ensuring your standard of living »
A successful life is: « doing what you enjoy, enjoying what you do »
Mymotto is: « Find your happiness, the best way to make others happy! »

Mini biography:
My family transmitted values, root of passions rather than of a career strategy. Russian-language translator, I worked for a French bank in Russia as an expatriate. This was the first highlight of my career. After getting an education in Economics and Finance, I became the manager of an international team. The development of my skills is an ongoing process. Aged 40, I realized a lifelong project with the publication of my first book. My heart is set on publishing more books and right now I regularly write articles on women’s issues. My three children are continuing studies they are interested in and are practicing artistic disciplines: that’s really crucial for me. It took me time to be aware of women’s positioning. That’s why I would like now to help the young generations, sharing my experience and encouraging them to take more control of their own lives.

Transmitted values:
Study and your mind will make the difference, think for yourself
Pursue your own path, not someone’s idea of the right path
Get an education to be financially independent
Remain optimistic

3 emblematic women:
Colette for her talent in writing and for her free life despite the wounds
Marguerite Duras who was with me all my teenage years
My grandmother whose life story determined mine

3 tips to women starting their careers:
Seriously study without taking yourself seriously
Develop some form of selfishness in order to desire to flourish in your life by yourself
Make the difference with your creativity

My vision of the future:
Thanks to the new technologies and the current changes of our society, let’s hope women will feel more legitimate in the workplace and men more invested in their relationship with children. However I’m cautiously optimistic as some gains seem at times very fragile.

*****

Anne-Marie LOTTE – 104

Ambition is: "to be driven by passion and the need to give your children everything they need for a good life".
A successful life is: « being financially independent, close to your descendants, having friends and a social life »
My motto is: « Love people (every one!) »

Mini biography:
Further to my father’s death in 1914, I became ward of the state, was taken away from my mother and sent to Paris. All my teenage years, I was angry. Music saved me… and also love for a Russian sculptor whom I followed up to Moscow in 1937, with a Soviet passport. Passion has guided my life, exposing me to hazards that put me at risk. The intuitive confidence in my lucky star has helped me face them. And also friendship: my Russian friends kept me alive during the war and helped me flee the country in 1946. Later on, I did what it took to take care of my daughters. Piano was not going to be the solution. That’s why I opened a creperie in Belle-Ile, then another one in Paris. I have a very big family that means a lot to me. 104-years-old, I enjoy a hearty social life, I love good food, good wine, togetherness, I take care of my looks. Even if I’ve always been independent, I painfully miss my mate who died a few months ago, feeling his hand in mine, the strength of his love even when he could not find the words. My secret? I love life and young people.

Transmitted values:
Manage to live with the barest minimum
Keep a roof over your head and your children’s heads 
Nothing is given, except parents ‘love for their children and friends ‘love
Enjoy music and arts
Give

3 emblematic women:
Irina Ehrenbourg (daughter of the Soviet writer, Ilya Ehrenbourg) She saved my life
Germaine Péguy (daughter of Charles Péguy, my father – Joseph Lotte’s longtime friend): generous, open minded, devout
Madame de Cherisey (leader with Guides de France): she opened me the door to life, I was in love with her

3 tips to women starting their career:
Go all out to be financially independent;
Find a job where you feel good;
Defend your interests.

My vision of the future:
When you’re 104, the idea of future is a bit particular. That’s an ultra-present with people I love and my family up to great-grandchildren who continue to make me so happy!

*****

Ludmilla CASTIER – 75

Ambition is: « to have a dream and to do everything we can to make it come true. Throughout your life. »
A successful life is: « interesting and serene. A life where love prevails. » 
My motto is: « Do what you enjoy and enjoy what you are doing. I believe we have a good life when we achieve that. » 

Mini biography:
I was born in Moscow in 1941 to a Russian father and a French mother. Back in France at age 5, I was raised in a predominantly female environment. Married at 17, I had 4 children at age 22 and I did enjoy a lot taking care of them full time. Later on, I decided to go back to school and I became a speech therapist and a psychoanalyst. Since surviving a serious accident at age 24, I’ve been considering that each day we live is a gift. My eldest son died in an accident at 17. I know even more the price of life. A widow for 10 years, I keep on working, my passion, because I help people live better lives thanks to the unconditional listening. I’m very present for my children and grandchildren. I enjoy what I do, that makes me happy.

Transmitted values:
Love the life that is in everything.
Do with who you are and what you have; always try to manage at best, creating, adapting.
Never peremptorily judge anything or anyone by appearances.
No matter which situation you are going through, meditate and live according to the Zen story "I don’t know whether it is for good or bad ".

3 emblematic women:
Simone Veil, who has allowed women to freely decide over their sexuality and their desire for maternity;
Marie Curie, a role model of passion and perseverance in a field she chose: sciences;
Marie-Cécile Ortigue, outstanding psychoanalyst who taught me the "unconditional welcome", prerequisite to any meeting with the patient, rigour and not rigidity.

3 tips to women starting their career:
« You have a minute » for high-spirited people in a hurry;
Opt for a job that fits what you enjoy doing, and for which you feel your competences will be better used;
Work on yourself. In a general way, what psychoanalysis taught me is to ask myself a question: « What part should I take, how am I responsible for what I’m going through? »

My vision of the future:
Future being by definition what I don’t know, I can only wish to continue doing what I enjoy doing and enjoying what I do for as long as possible. I also wish that my children and grandchildren do the same, each of them in the field they like the best.

*****

Alexandrine GUBLER – 22

Ambition is: « to find the balance between the various components of life: family, work, friends. »
A successful life is: « moving towards your ideal. Knowing how to give to others and to give to yourself. »
My motto is: « Choose everything! »

Mini biography:
Thanks to my parents, I have a good open-mindedness and I’m sensitized to diversity. We participated in an exchange with an English family. I studied a semester in Russia. As a teenager, I met a family very involved in the scouting movement and religion. With time, I did sense some defects and some opinions I did not share, but I’ve kept the faith. Drawing and painting count for a lot in my life. My grandfather initiated me into estheticism. A drawing teacher taught me the technique. I know my big life project is to make myself useful. I’ll earn my living thanks to my studies in a business school. However, meeting different people is my strong desire. Passion drives me. I’m aware I’ve chosen to go towards what I did not know how to do, but that taught me rigor, keeping my artist side.

Transmitted values:
Open-mindedness, importance of diversity
Work, seriousness
Scouting’s values: provide service to others, give freely without keeping score
Responsibility with regard to our planet and other human beings
Ambition

3 emblematic women:
Emma Watson – a rich personality, well thought career choices
Malala Yousafzaï – symbol of physical and intellectual resistance
Anne-Marie Lotte, my great grandmother: a passionate life.

3 tips to women starting their careers:
Have long-term goals
Stop being sorry all the time! Others are not
Don’t limit yourself because you became a mother, the world is changing and such limits make no sense. Besides, men want more and more to be involved and present with their children.

My vision of the future:
Radiant, fulfilled and proud of my work, surrounded and supported by a wide variety of people.

*****

Camille GUBLER – 19

Ambition is: to be able to seize today’s opportunities making concessions relative to the initial idea we had.
A successful life is: sentimental and professional fulfilment, knowing how to make changes when and if necessary.
My motto is: I’m nice but I don’t run a soup kitchen.
 
Mini biography:
My life story is short. I’m a first-year engineering student. I put a lot in various associations. Indeed, I believe that social life is essential and that being member of a group implies being fully committed to it. I’d love to work in an environment with a lot of contacts rather than in a pure technical job.
Thanks to my older sister, I found the inner energy that facilitated the choice of such high studies. Before I was just living a comfortable life without really wondering about my future. Now, I know for a fact I can throw myself into challenging projects with a lot of energy and outdo myself. I’m developing my luck for the future. Good results in scientific subjects will give me various opportunities and the possibility to achieve good-paying jobs.

Transmitted values:
Courtesy;
Gaining recognition without trampling on others and without sounding hysterical;
Being able to take things into consideration.

3 emblematic women:
I do congratulate and respect a lot men and women who did great things. But currently they have no inspiring influence on me. I prefer to make my own way.
3 tips to women starting their career:
Don’t say anything that could harm you later on, be humble before finding your niche;
Do not act as a girl (no girly stuff such as chit-chat about shopping or manicure at work);
Be careful on how you dress – women are judged by their overall looks (hair, clothes, posture).

My vision of the future:
With education more accessible to women, there will be more and more women managing teams and heading companies. Besides it will be facilitated by the raising awareness of men who will then agree to work with women as equals.