Maria Fernandes

By Bobby-Jo Keats

 

Maria Fernandes appears to know a thing or two about what it takes to be successful.  Running her immigration and family law practice for over 14 years, the humble, soft-spoken wife and mother of three is a candidate running for Windsor’s Ward 10. With degrees in nursing, education and law, Fernandes believes determination and commitment are the keys to success.

Fernandes was born in Northern Portugal, but at the age of two, her family settled down in Amherstburg.  Working from the age of 12, she developed a strong work ethic.  After high school she was a nursing assistant at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital until graduating as a registered nurse and working at a Detroit hospital.  She studied at the University of Windsor for 11 years and earned her masters at Wayne State University.  In her mid-20s, she moved to Windsor where she has lived ever since.

“I loved being a student. I enjoyed being on campus.  The beginning of fall especially, when the trees start changing colour.  I think ‘gosh I should be going back to campus.’ It’s still in the back of my mind because I was there for so long.  It was a great school and a great experience.”

Shortly thereafter, she ‘fell into’ studying law.  Her friends told her since she ‘liked to argue’ she should become a lawyer.  A week later, she passed the law school entrance exam at Wayne State University, receiving scholarships and being accepted to numerous universities, before attending law school in Windsor where she has now been practicing law for 15 years.

The immigration side of her practice varies, from refugee matters to bringing in businesses.

Fernandes believes immigration law is a nice counter-balance to the family law side of her practice.

“It is draining at times because even when you have a win, you don’t have a win.”  At the end of the day you have a family that has been torn apart.  When it comes to immigration, when you have a win, you really have a win.”

Despite her remarkable career, Fernandes says the best job in the world is being a mother.

She and her husband strive to set a good example for their children, David, 13, Emily, 7, and Matthew, 6.  Her father taught her about hard work and resourcefulness and her mother always encouraged her education, encouraging her to be prepared for anything.

While attending the U of W, Fernandes participated in debates, discussed the needs of students and eventually started a family and practice, always knowing she would return to the world of politics and says now feels like ‘the right time.’

“It doesn’t matter if you decide to be a journalist or you decide to be a lawyer or you decide to be a judge or you decide to be a candidate running in a ward, you have to be dedicated and committed to what you’re doing to be successful at it.”