Stratulat Maria

About

Maria Stratulat was born in October 1920 in the city of Cetatea Albă (now *Belgorod-Dnestrovski*, Odesa region, Ukraine), which until 1940 was part of the Kingdom of Romania. She came from a large family, being the sixth child of her parents. At the age of 27, her mother became a widow, left with six children and no means of subsistence. After a second happy but short marriage, her mother passed away prematurely at the age of 43 due to a serious illness. Thus, at only 14 years old, Maria was orphaned, but with the support of her older brothers and sisters. Education and Early Achievements Maria attended Girls' Primary School No. 9 in Chișinău (Lăpușna county), graduating in the 1932–1933 school year with brilliant academic results. She was the top student in her class, achieving a remarkable overall average of **9.86** (with perfect scores in numerous subjects such as Romanian language, conduct, calligraphy, and handicrafts). Although she was offered the opportunity to continue her studies at the state gymnasium at state expense, her mother decided it would be safer for her future to learn a practical trade. Thus, at the age of 14, Maria began studying tailoring. In addition to her exceptional sewing skills, she possessed a natural musical talent, with a fine musical ear and a beautiful voice. In her youth, she sang in the church choir and could immediately sing the secondary harmonies of any melody. Nevertheless, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the profession of a seamstress, a trade that would support her and help her family members through the most difficult times. Professional Activity During the interwar period and the following years, she worked in various private tailoring workshops. After 1940 and the end of World War II, with the historical changes and the entry into a new administrative era, she continued to work in state enterprises, active within *Gorpromtorg* (a garment workshop). After a short break related to the birth of her child, the 1950s marked an exceptional period in her professional career: she was hired at the **Chișinău Fashion House** (located at the intersection of Lenin Street and Bulgară Street). As a highly skilled master, she created garments for fashion shows that were very popular in the USSR at that time, undergoing rigorous quality controls. She was a versatile specialist, capable of creating any type of clothing, from elegant dresses made of fine materials to coats and leather goods, primarily using her favorite sewing machine, a classic "Singer" model. From 1958 until her retirement in 1976, Maria Stratulat dedicated a significant part of her career to training new generations as a **master of production training/education** within the *Production and Training Combine of Communal Services and Household Services of the Moldavian SSR* (later the Republican Combine). She taught young girls the secrets of tailoring and making clothes from scratch, contributing directly to their professional integration. Distinctions, Awards, and Achievements Thanks to her diligent work and remarkable contribution to the development of services for the population and the training of qualified personnel, Maria Stratulat was honored with numerous titles and official recognitions: Honorary title "Master - Golden Hands" (*Мастер Золотые Руки*). Honorary Diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian SSR** (awarded by Decree of October 19, 1967, for active work in organizing and improving services for the republic's population). Honorary Diploma from the Ministry of Local Industry of the Moldavian SSR and the Republican Trade Union Committee (April 1959) for conscientious fulfillment of duties in personnel training. Congratulatory and gratitude telegrams from ministerial leadership (including from the Minister of Light Industry / Services, Kuskevici) for outstanding work successes.