Rising with Purpose: Shirley Maia-Cusick’s Journey of Empowerment
In just three minutes, a film can change a life—or inspire thousands. That’s exactly what happened when a short documentary, filmed entirely on a smartphone, made its way from New Jersey City to the Cannes Film Festival. At the heart of this journey is a woman whose life story spans continents, political arenas, and personal triumphs. From growing up in Brazil under the influence of national leaders to building a new life in the United States, Shirley Maia-Cusick has turned her lived experience into a mission of faith, leadership, and women’s empowerment. Her film is more than a biography—it’s a call to action for women everywhere to recognize their inner strength and rise with purpose.
Can you tell us about your project that took you to Cannes? I heard it was featured at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
Everything started after a friend of mine, Liza—a journalist from New York City—was following my media appearances during my political campaign. I was sharing my story, my life journey, and explaining how I ended up in America. People connected with my story, and I was invited to learn how to use a smartphone to make a short film.
I attended NYU and took a course on smartphone filmmaking. That led to the creation of a beautiful three-minute documentary filmed entirely on my phone. It won two awards: Best Editor and Best Documentary. After that, I was invited to Cannes to develop the story further and present my short film.
Is your film a documentary about your life—your career and personal journey?
Yes, it’s a biographical documentary that traces my roots and the journey that shaped who I am. I was born in Brasília, Brazil, shortly after the inauguration of a new president—who was also my godfather—and grew up in a unique political environment that had a profound influence on my early life and values.
In 1990, during a political corruption crisis, the government froze our bank accounts. This forced me to seek a better future. I chose America—the land of Abraham Lincoln and Susan B. Anthony—because I wanted to raise my daughters in a country founded on freedom and strong values. I first moved to New York City and later settled in New Jersey.
The film follows my journey from Brazil to the United States, showing how these experiences shaped who I am today. Remarkably, without planning, my story began to empower women—mothers, professionals, and immigrants alike.
What is the main message you’re sharing through your film?
The core message is this: a woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother—any woman—can raise a family, immigrate to a new country, and still succeed. We women are powerful. We just need to recognize that power and use it to lift others. My film is about women’s empowerment.
Beyond the main message, there are many smaller, heartfelt stories within it. I was working 14-hour days, raising my daughters, and building my life. Honestly, I don’t know how I did it. But when you are committed to doing what’s right, the path reveals itself.
Most women don’t realize how powerful they are. That’s my mission—to awaken that strength in them. If we can create life, we can do anything. Under God’s guidance, there are no limits. The film, though only three minutes long, sends a strong message: as women, we can achieve whatever we set our minds to.
We must stop standing behind powerful men and start standing beside them. We must teach the world that we are not only capable—we are essential.
Do you agree with the expression, “It’s a man’s world,” especially considering politics and business, particularly in Europe where men often hold more power?
That may have been true in the past, but not anymore. We have incredible examples of strong women in history. Take Susan B. Anthony—she was a powerful American woman who fought to give women the right to vote and a voice in society. Since I was a child, I looked up to her and followed her story. She was one of my greatest inspirations.
I don’t agree that this is still a man’s world. It looks like that because the media focuses more on men in power. But we have strong women making real change. My mission is to help women become more visible and more involved in decision-making. We need to claim and protect our space.
Why do you think such a large number of women remain unaware of the strength and potential they carry inside?
It comes down to culture and education. Traditionally, women were raised to be daughters, wives, mothers—always in the background. That’s how our grandmothers lived. We’ve been conditioned to think of ourselves as support systems instead of leaders.
Even in the biblical story, Eve was always behind Adam. But look at it logically: if you place two men on an island, that’s the end. No life will come from it. But if you place a man and a woman—or two women—you can build a generation. We are responsible for giving life and raising it.
It’s time to shift that mindset. We need to move away from old limitations and embrace the truth: women are powerful, capable, and essential. That’s why I’m stepping forward—to help awaken that strength and unite women across the world. Together, we can create real, lasting change.
You’re the president of the Burlington County Republican Women Organization. Can you tell us about the group and what it does?
In 2022–2023, I was frustrated with the government, so I got deeply involved in politics and ran for office. During my campaign, I knocked on over 50,000 doors and met incredible women and families. That’s when I began to connect deeply with women in my community.
Although I lost the election by a small margin, I decided to continue the work by creating the Burlington County Republican Women’s Organization. I’m the founder and president.
Our mission is to support women in politics, promote family values, and protect conservative principles. We also host charity events and social gatherings. I’m a registered Republican because, in America, the Republican party aligns more closely with my conservative beliefs and values.
Our club now has over 5,000 members and continues to grow. We are affiliated with the New Jersey Republican Women’s Federation, which is part of a large national movement.
What advice would you give your younger self ?
Find your true abilities and your niche—what you do best. Whether you’re a housewife or a professional, use your time and skills to grow and give back.
There are incredible women around you who just need a chance. Help them discover their own power.
Remember, nothing is impossible. Stay strong, organized, and keep moving forward.
Once, while helping an immigrant housekeeper from Brazil with her paperwork, I asked her, “Do you want to be a housekeeper forever?” She said yes, because she loved her work. I encouraged her to dream bigger—to start her own business. Today, she leads over a hundred women cleaning for high-profile clients. Her success comes from believing in herself and never giving up. This is proof that with courage and determination, we can turn dreams into reality.
What do you believe is the secret to success for women?
I believe success starts with believing in yourself—confidence is the foundation. Next, you must be organized and manage your time well. Finally, show up consistently and stay engaged in your field. Success comes to those who act with purpose.
For example, a good reporter must be organized, punctual, and focused, but also find joy in life. When I was younger, I worked long hours but always made time for my family because balance matters.
My goal was to build an immigration office to help others achieve the American Dream—and I’m proud I did.
I was never driven by fame or vanity. My prayer was always, “God, please use me.” I wanted to serve others. Like the movie Pay It Forward shows, true success comes from a pure heart and faith in service.
You’ll be one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming Regenerative Women Leaders conference in Monaco. What can you tell us about the event, and what are you most looking forward to?
Yes, I’m excited to be a keynote speakers at the first edition of Regenerative Women Leaders, an international conference founded by Isabella Vieira and taking place in Monaco early next year.
Regenerative Women Leaders is more than just a conference—it’s a global movement that brings together visionary women who are committed to ecological regeneration, conscious leadership, and systemic change. I’m truly proud to be part of this pioneering event and to stand alongside incredible women who are shaping a better future for our world.