As a child, Olivia Poncelet did not fit the typical mold of what a French woman should be. Growing up in Corsica, Italy as it was, meant that Poncelet was expected to be thin, pretty, and obedient, the very things that she detested when she grew up and went on to play different parts in different eras and cultures. Growing into a woman in a new country and culture in England, however, presented Poncelet with an opportunity to explore her own identity, to ask questions about gender roles, and to accept (and even celebrate) her own differences. And throughout the ages, as she lived, worked, and played through all of them, Poncelet never shied away from expressing her nationality, her interests, and her unique qualities, which in turn earned her many admirers, friends, and colleagues. She was a fascinating example of a woman who managed to combine the intellectual works of a man (she was a great linguist and psychologist) with the feminine qualities of a woman (she was also very beautiful).
When Olivia Poncelet passed away at the age of 101, the world was subjected to yet another female icon: the Queen of Spain. The press, television, and films which sprang up around the “court of love” offered a brief description of the “new woman” as she stepped into the public eye. However, it was Poncelet’s nationality, her height, and her intelligence which had created the largest impact upon the world, long after other women were dead or gone. This is because Poncelet defined herself not only as a woman but as an artist as well.
Part of what made Olivia Poncelet so fascinating was the way in which she accepted her differences and focused upon them. While others have been encouraged to suppress their nationalities or try to fit into a mold, Poncelet saw her nationality as a strong and vibrant part of her. Her views on nationality are interesting and show just how much people can be helped by the strength of their identity. In fact, Poncelet’s own success was built upon her own ability to identify with other nationalities and her own unique height. It is this ability to see beyond race, sex, and language that will enable us to see other facets of otherness in people, and to appreciate all that we come together to create.