Category: International Women’s Day 2025Page 2 of 3

International Women’s Day, which takes place on 8th March every year, is a global movement celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. It also puts on the forefront the further need for equality between men and women.

In celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, we’ve curated our favourite interviews with some incredible women in Singapore whom we love and respect. We hope that their stories inspire you to acknowledge their contributions and join them in fighting the good fight.

Maddy Barber: DJ Leaves Behind World of Radio After 25 years to Focus on Her Family, Passion for Jewellery and Self

“Radio gave me my calling, that I should spread joy and laughter wherever I go, and to make a difference, one life a day. And that’s exactly our philosophy at MADLY Gems – to spread joy and beauty and make a difference in a person’s life, one bespoke piece at a time.”

Gracie Teo: Watersports Instructor at Ola Beach Club on Loving and Protecting the Ocean

Humans of Sentosa | “When I started paddleboarding back in 2014, I remember seeing lots of trash floating on the water. One day, I decided to bring a trash bag with me and started picking up trash. People thought I was crazy for collecting rubbish out at sea on my paddleboard…”

Alina: Standing Tall Against Inappropriate Male Behaviour With Toughness Carved From Boxing

People of Legends | “I guess I had to learn to be super independent. And thanks to boxing, I learnt to be more confident, even without the presence of a male figure. In the past, guys would be overly touchy, be it at work or in public spaces. Some customers would lean on me and even touch my butt.”

Alyaa Larasati: The Only Female Malay Student in a Majority-Chinese SAP School Shares Her Experiences

“I think people who discriminate against others don’t get a lot of exposure or knowledge about people of different races and religions. Somehow, they have been influenced wrongly, so they assume the worst. Just get more information before you spread rumours or hate.”

Kimberly Tan: Hotelier with Sunshine Personality Loves Making Guests Feel Special at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa

Humans of Sentosa | “But now when I go home and sleep at night, I can sleep properly because I feel like I did something good that day. So no matter which industry you’re in, as long as you’re happy doing your work, I think that’s all that matters…”

Trinh Tran Chau: Once a Workaholic, She’s Now a Business and Life Strategist After Mother’s Passing

“I’ve been a workaholic my whole life. For someone who’s been working the way I have for the past 16 years, it’s a bit hard to adjust, right? I just love working. But I also realise there is more to life. I should enjoy myself more and take care of the people around me.”

Suki: Overcoming Shyness to Become One of Sentosa’s Environmental Champions and Most Knowledgeable Guides

Humans of Sentosa | “Here, you get to see hawksbill turtles that come to lay their eggs and dolphins that swim around our coast. It’s very cool.”

Hidayah: Self-Care for the Caretaker of a Sibling with Bipolar Disorder

“If I have any advice for other caretakers, it’s to learn to have empathy and compassion for yourself. I think many times we think that we can do better and must do better. But we are human and there is only so much you can do for yourself and your loved ones.”

Hanming Wang and Aditi Sharma: Gifting in the Time of COVID-19

“Art tells people who we are, and represents what’s important to us. It is a visual language that cuts across cultures and languages.”

Nursyazanna Syaira: The Joys and Realities of Adopting and Motherhood in Singapore

“And if he ever reads this story one day, I want him to know that he’s always loved. I want him to know that he’s lucky to have more than one family and that no matter what, he will always have a forever family in me.”

Jaslyn: Sending Heartfelt Mail to Socially-Isolated Elderly This Circuit Breaker

“We believe that nothing can recreate the feelings of warmth when one holds a personalised handwritten card. We want to share that warmth with the seniors…”

Euna: Finding Her Purpose and Owning Her Diverse Ethnicity

“So my dad is Korean-Japanese and my mom is Paraguayan. They met in Paraguay when my dad moved there for business. I grew up with two different cultures in Paraguay. At times I’d be talking to my dad in Korean and my mom in Spanish in a single conversation…”

Jumaiyah: Halalfoodhunt Founder on Juggling Motherhood and Business

“What keeps me going is the love for our community. It makes me happy when I’m able to help a person find halal versions of foods they love. At the end of the day, eating is an activity that brings people together. It seems so simple but it means so much to us…”

Yan En: Millennial Strays From the Pack and Follows Her Heart to Serve

Humans of Habitat Singapore | “I was very conflicted at first because I didn’t want to be living proof that an arts student doesn’t make a lot of money, but my own experiences affirmed that I’d rather be living a life with purpose than trying to chase money…”

Chunhui: Not Defined by Handicap, She Gives Back to Society

Humans of Habitat Singapore | “I guess I’m still a work in progress. Maybe one day I would be more at peace and wander around without the artificial arm and not care about anyone staring. Perhaps one day I can fully embrace the person whom God made me instead of hiding it from the world.”

Azzy Mozerin: From Bullied Student to Aspirational Actor, Writer and Director

“I used to blame myself a lot. Why did you let people bully you? Why did you let people criticise you? You cannot do anything. You suck. But I’ve learnt that forgiveness is very important in life…”

Leona Hui: Paving the Way for Female Boxers in Singapore

“Boxing is such an enigma. There’s just something very ironic about it. It’s predictable yet so unpredictable. We fight in a ring even though it’s a square. We try to kill each other for three rounds; but, at the end of it, we respect each other even more.”

Zenda Tan: Fresh Graduate Writes Debut Play About Love and Loss

“I hope people who watch the play go home feeling a sense of comfort. Comfort that you can move on after someone’s death, that there can be reconciliation with a sibling even if the relationship is tense right now, that your angry child can grow up full of compassion.”

Noorlinah Mohamed: Actress Moulds Thinking Girls Through the Arts

“I’m an actress by training but my work goes beyond that. My passion lies in education and engaging with the public through the arts. And while I don’t have children because I choose not to, I continue to educate the future generations through programmes like N.O.W.”

Laura Philomin: Leaving the Stress of Journalism Life for Meaningful NGO Work

Humans of Habitat Singapore | “Some of them are just so happy to have someone to talk to and open up about who they used to be. They feel so isolated because they might not have family members to carry on their memories for them, but I’m interested to hear, and I’m interested to learn.”