I am now in the process of updating my social media and website to use the last name Mojelski.

You might have already noticed this if you went to my old website location https://heathermaga.com and found yourself here at https://heathermojelski.com.

My legal surname is Maga. However, I feel given the current political climate this is working against me professionally. It’s a shame because for most of my career that has been my last name. However, the writing was on the wall even back in 2020 when a company I used to work for had to start removing client accessible information that included my last name as it was being mistaken for something political.

The Weight of a Name

For years my name has been Heather Maga. There is a long confusing family history of how my surname has changed so many times and I’ve only been married once. But I won’t get into that now as it is far too personal. However, Maga carried no baggage really. It was just my last name. It was how I signed my name, it’s what was in my social media accounts, it was on my documents. It connected me to my mother’s family. I never imagined that it would become a liability.

The Shift

As the political landscape changed in the US, so did the way that people started reacting to my name. Initially it was kind of a joke. Something amusing where occasionally friends would joke with things #maga.

Then I noticed when I would have to give my name people would ask “how do you spell that”? Which was not a question that I would ever get before. Though I will say people would sometimes spell it Mega instead of Maga but that was rare. It is a very easy name to spell.

The 2020 “incident” was a wake-up call. When your name becomes a distraction or worse a deterrent its hard not to take it personally. And now with US politics bleeding more and more into the Canada it’s hard not notice things. I fear that my contract and job application, emails, comments and etc. were being filtered. I know for certain searches for my name were bring up my own stuff but also far right wing rhetoric by people named Heather.

Choosing Mojelski

Mojelski is a family name – one that’s always been part of my story, just not the one I used professionally. It feels like a return and a reinvention at the same time. It’s unfamiliar to some, but it’s mine. And most importantly, it’s neutral.

This wasn’t an easy decision. I wrestled with the idea of changing something so foundational. But ultimately, I realized that clinging to a name out of habit wasn’t serving me – or my work.

Updating Everything

Updating my online presence was easy. Changing URLs, bios, and social handles takes about ten minutes and a cup of coffee. The legal name change, on the other hand, is a bureaucratic scavenger hunt. It costs money, takes time, and involves more paperwork than buying a house. Every government form seems to ask for something different, and none of them care that you’re just trying to escape a politically radioactive surname.

If I thought I had a case, I’d sue for “brand damage”. But alas, rebranding myself is faster than waiting for the courts to agree that my last name was hijacked by a slogan.

What Remains

The name has changed. I haven’t. I’m still doing the same work, with the same voice, just under a name that doesn’t come with a side of political baggage.

Thanks for reading.