Maraj’s Long Island home was featured on MTV in 2010.Maraj says of her life today, “I never expected this, raising my children here in the States, that my daughter would become this big superstar. I love that my daughter is so successful, and glad that she has a platform — but I have my own passion and drive. It’s really nice to know that I’m different.”theofficialcarolmaraj/Instagram
The mother of three said that she always wanted to instill in her now-famous daughter, “the importance of education,” she said. “I insisted that my children go to school… and make the best of it when they came to the States,” she said. “Since I was a child, I have been determined no matter what happens in my life. I went to school for nursing. I always have hope to keep going, and that’s what I always try to tell these women. That it’s not over.” theofficialcarolmaraj/InstagramGabrieline Reece is the founder of Women Who Influence, which held its awards at Blondale Desrosiers’ Brooklyn events venue, Space 2Sixty.