Source: 8days.sg

 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IS ALSO A TIME FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY AND IS CELEBRATED AROUND THE GLOBE.

Let’s face it! Behind every successful man is a woman. This phrase has been used since the 1940s and even before then, Women have played a massive role in making this world a better place. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we raise our glasses to those who have truly touched our hearts.

 

RACHEL LIM & VIOLA TAN – CO-OWNERS OF SINGAPORE-BASED BUSINESS LOVE, BONITO

When Rachel and Viola were 21 and 24 respectively, the two young adults took a risk with themselves being entrepreneurs. The initial idea was to just find ways to earn extra pocket money by selling their pre-loved clothes online. With a ton of hardwork and impeccable timing of online retail starting out in South East Asia, the two young adults carved out a path for themselves turning a simple blogshop into a fashion site. The main goal was to create affordable and accessible fashion line for the Asian market. Love, Bonito is now a multimillion-dollar fashion empire. Check out www.lovebonito.com/sg/ for some amazing ladies wear. For Women by Women.

Source: Getty Images

 

ROSA PARKS – AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

Born in 1913, Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an American civil rights activist best known for her role in the Montgomery bus boycott. Parks took on numerous job in her youth, eventually finishing her high school studies in 1933, at a time when less than 7% African Americans had a high-school diploma. In the 1940s, Parks became the secretary of the National Association for The Advancement of Coloured People and was a member of League of Women Voters. Due to the Civil Rights Movement of which Rosa Parks was a pivotal factor that led to the end of legalized segregation in America and the emergence of a Black upper and middle class. People of colour now have access to business and educational opportunities since then. While new forms and racism have emerged in our culture, Rosa Parks made huge strides in equal rights for everyone. Visit the History Channel to find out more about Rosa Parks and how she stood up for the rights.

Source: FACEBOOK/ TRYON2018

 

LAURENTIA TAN – SINGAPOREAN PARA-EQUESTRIAN COMPETITOR

Born in 1979, Laurentia Tan Yen Yi is a para-equestrian competitor. Laurentia developed cerebral palsy and deafness before the age of three. Horse-riding was used as a form of physiotherapy. Laurentia was able to complete her A-levels and graduated with an honours degree for hospitality management and tourism. In 2005, she was encouraged to participate in dressage competition, of which she progressed to the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in 2007 and qualified for the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Laurentia took part and won Singapore’s first medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics. Despite the physical limitations imposed onto Laurentia, she was able to carve out a career in a sport to which have brought progress towards the Singapore National Paralympic Council’s training and development. One of her interviews can be found at herworld.com

Source: Alarmy stock photo

 

THERESA CHAN POH LIN – SINGAPOREAN WRITER AND TEACHER

Born in 1943, Theresa Chan Poh Lin was the Helen Keller of Southeast Asia. Meningitis took Theresa’s hearing at 12 and she lost her sight two years later. Theresa was quoted to have “wanted to learn like Helen Keller, to speak English like the Queen of England and to meet everyone in the world”. Learn like Helen Keller she did, becoming a teacher for the Singapore School for the blind. Despite financial difficulties in her later years, Theresa contributed whatever she could to charitable causes. Growing up in darkness and despair, Theresa was able to contribute to the society despite of her disabilities. To find out more about the life of Theresa Chan, her story inspires us here.

Source: Terence Donovan/Camera Press/Redux

 

PRINCESS DIANA – MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY

Born in 1961, Diana France Spencer was born into royalty. Married into the Royal family at 20, Princess Diana was favoured by the Queen. Throughout her time being in the spotlight, she was celebrated for her unconventional approach to multiple charity work. Her involvement with AIDS patients, and photographed shaking hands with an AIDS patient without wearing gloves at a time where the HIV virus was not well documented served as a catalyst of how media and public on changing their views and attitude of the disease. Princess Diana’s affability in the media was seen by the world, and up until her untimely demise, she was campaigning for the removal of landmines. Princess Diana’s legacy continues beyond her passing, with her influence deep on the royal family and British society.

In our own way, we would like to thank these women and there’s no better way than to share some gifts with them with limited time wine specials. To all the ladies, we salute you!