CELEBRATING WOMEN'S DAY

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S DAY
Women are always the “Pillars of strength” behind every men. Therefore, I think every women should be appreciated of the wonders as “women”.
Women’s Day is the day specially to remember the story of ordinary women doing ordinary things and it has been rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. The idea of having Women’s Day first arose at the turn of the century, a period of expansion and turbulence coupled with booming population growth and radical ideologies in the industrialized world.
With more educated women in the business and political scenes, women are recognised throughout the world in equality. The day is commemorated at the United Nations and celebrated in nations around the globe.
Nowadays women no longer live like in the past as “Child Bearers” for they are equally as smart and capable not only at home but also in all fields of career in the global world. They are seen to have contributed a lot to the society.
I have with careful selection nominated five women in Miri well known for their great contributions in society and I felt that they are the ones who deserved to be appreciated by all.
1. Datuk Ursula Goh
2. Florence Christy
3. Liza Chai
4. Juriah Abdullah

“A Woman is like a teabag, you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Nancy Reagan –

Written by
Jennie Soh
Date : 26th November, 2010

DRAWING BY JOANNE KERK
PUBLISHED ON 4TH DECEMBER, 2010 NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE PAGE 15 & 16

DATO URSULA GOH

I have heard a lot of good things about Dato Ursula Goh but have not met her until recently. I felt honored to have the opportunity to meet and interview her through a friend, Freda Ho. Visiting her home makes me feel that she is the type of woman who had gained high respect and she is the only woman in Sarawak I know of who got her datoship through her great charitable works without any political influence. She had appeared in many mazagines and local news of her great works.
Dato Ursula Goh originally came from Penampang, Sabah borned on 2nd June, 1937 and was educated at St. Joseph’s Convent School, Penampang, Sabah. She has 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. She was very active in the women’s organization locally, nationally and internationally.
Involvement in Community Services
In her local participation, she is a life member of Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institutes (SFWI), a co-founder in Miri/Lutong in 1965. She is currently the Chairman of the SFWI Miri/Bintulu Building Fund Committee, an advisor to the Consumer’s Association and Member of Marriage Tribunal Miri. She was also an advisor to Majistrate Juvenile Court Miri in 2002, Council Member and Chairman of Sarawak Family Planning Association, Chairman of the Board of Visitors Taman Seri Puteri Miri since 1981 to 2001 and was awarded a SFWI Gold Medal for outstanding contribution in 1982.
Her international participation involves a life member of The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) and she is currently the World President since 2004 to 2010. She was also a Chairman to the ACWW Agriculture Committee since 1998 – 2004, ACWW Area President for South East Asia & Far East since 1980 – 1993, Chairman of ACWW Projects Committee 1994 – 1996, ACWW Coordinator for East West & Central Africa 1998 – 2004. Her programmes include organizing and conducting Women’s Development and Empowerment Programes, Internationally and nationally. She attends UN International Women’s Forum regularly and was awarded ACWW Volunteer Award for Outstanding Voluntary work for Society and Community in conjunction with UN International Year of Volunteers in 2001.
Her state Awards and Honours are Bentena Bintang Sarawak (BBS) in 1973, Ahli Bintang Sarawak (ABS) in 1983, Jasamu Di Kenang in 1997, Pegawai Bintang Kenyalang (PBK) in 2000, Pingat Peringatan Delima (PPD),Gangsa in 2003, Penglima Setia Bintang Sarawak (PSBS) (Gararan Dato) in2004, Tokoh Wanita in 2008 and Federation of Reproductive Health Association Malaysia Outstanding Volunteer in 2010.
Her national award was from Avon/Tan Sri Fatimah Medal “Wanita Cermalang”(Woman of Distinction) for Social Services in 1993.
With all these awards of her outstanding volunteerism, Dato Ursula Goh is indeed a Woman of Distinction, well respected and is a good example for all women.
Her comments on Women
Women in Malaysia are indeed very fortunate to have different government agencies and NGOs to impart education to the youth and enhanced skills for the women. Women today should be more independent and be more knowledgeable to be able to handle economic global pressure and take it as a challenge to be able to handle and to stand up to become better women. Yet there are still some educated women who got cheated through internet scam. Women should be more alert and be able to deal with peers pressure and bad influence globally.
A healthy life style at her current age 73, she still enjoys her life doing community service gracefully without pressure but with total commitment. Living independently by herself, she does her morning walk, cooks her own meal and enjoys a quiet life and travels a lot. Keep busy with your mind and this is the Quality of Life!

FLORINCE CHRISTY

Florince Christy, the eldest daughter among 4 other siblings, is an Iban originally from Saratok then moved to Sri Aman is residing in the Resort City of Miri, married and blessed with 2 beautiful children. Florince is a graduate from Michigan University USA, majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
Florince holds a number of portfolios where she is the CEO of Maxcel Institute of Management, The Principal Consultant & Trainer of Futuristic Communication Management Services Sdn Bhd, Exco Women of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), Woman Chief (SPDP)of Sadong Jaya, Exco member of Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak , Miri (SIDS), A Fellow (F. CTH) of the Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality(CTH, UK), A certified & Accredited Public Relations Practitioner (APRP) by the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM), a trainer and facilitator for the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia , Member of the Malaysian Society for Training and development (MSTD), Member of Tourism Educator Association of Malaysia (TEAM), Member of the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE)USA and a certified instructor and trainer for the Board of Trustees of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)USA.
Involvement in Community Service
Florince has been actively involved in various community services in her personal, professional and political capacity. Her very energetic, dynamic and proactive personality makes her well liked and her charisma makes her very approachable to all people of all ages.
As the owner and CEO of Maxcel Institute of Management, she has awarded sponsorship and scholarship to the under priviledged and deserving children to undergo education in the fields of hospitality & tourism with the hope that they will be successful in their fields and can improve their livelihood and help their families.
As a well sought professional speakers and motivator, she has conducted various talks to all spectrums of the communities, sharing, encouraging and guiding the kampong folks particularly in the areas of education, leadership, homestay (tourism) and motivational programmes.
She also provides some financial assistance to needy families to start up their homegrown business such as kueh sepit (love letters/rolls) to enhance their earning capacity and to better themselves economically and socially.
Florince is also providing and supplying baju kurung /baju melayu for the Malay old folks during Hari Raya Festival so that they are able to wear new shirts during the festive season, and giving morale support for the Orphanage and Old Folks home.
She has conducted motivational and leadership talks for the local dignitaries in Sarawak, NGO’s, Political Bodies and Youth Movement.
She assists single mothers and other deserving people to get assistance from the relevant government agencies and also has created awareness for them to seek assistance.
Comments on Women
From the evolutionary point of view, the role of the pre-history man and woman was well defined to begin with. Traditional roles were determined via gender-based and had been established out of necessity instead of the social environment. Men banded together in order to protect their interests, which were their families. They defended and provided for the stability of the community within the environment so that the women could safely operate in their socially-defined capacity. Whilst the women of prehistory acted as adhesive that bound the community together. At the same time, they were regarded to be far more superior than the males in tending to domestic issues; the only role in lead, which remains their responsibility until this present day

JURIAH MORSHIDI

I have known Juriah for more than 10 years and knew that she is one of the prominent women who deserved to be acknowledged for her contribution towards community services.
Juriah Abdullah @ Judy Wan Morhsidi ,a Chinese, born in Lutong Shell Clinic and spent her childhood in Lutong. Married to Haji Wan Morshidi, she has 2 sons and 1 daughter , two with Bachelor Degree and married, the youngest is still single and holds a Master degree in Engineeng. She has a grand daughter. Juriah can converse in Mandarin, English and Bahasa Malaysia, both oral and written. As a teacher teaching English in primary schools for 33 years, she has written some stories for the teaching in English. She enjoyed social work, reading and travelling and had been to many countries.
Involvement in Community Services
1 Malaysian Red Crescent Miri Chapter
• Joined the organization known as the British Red Cross then in 1959, as a Life member since 1989.
• Introduced Welfare services of the Chapter to the local and expatriate ladies from which The Sunflower Centre was formed and was actively involved in the early years of the Centre
• Introduced Red Crescent movement to primary schools in Miri, Niah & Marudi
1993 – 2005: Hon. Secretary
• Initiated the Red Crescent Thrift Shop that revolved into the 3R centre
• Initiated the set up of Chapter Homepage and Newsletter
• Initiated the popular “Dance For Humanity”
Current post: Vice Chairman II of the Miri Chapter
Visited the British Red Cross in 1965 and the American Red Cross in 2000.
2. Miri Local Agenda 21
- Member of Main committee since 2001
- Vice chairman of Solid Waste Reduction group since 2009
- Chairman of Plastic Reduction Subgroup since 2009 and organized the launching of “No Plastic Bags on Sunday” in 2009.
3 Lions Club of Miri Central
(Charter member )
Position: Director
Has organized various projects for the club
4 Persatuan Wanita Petroleum Miri
- Member since 2002
- Auditor (2010)
5 Club Pidato Toastmasters Miri
Joined as a charter member in 1999.
-Positions held: Vice President, President, Area Governor for Miri
-Initiated activities for the club : regular speech contests for members, Story telling contest for primary schools, inter primary & secondary school speech contest, Youth Leadership Programme
5. MAKSAK Wanita
1988– 1992 : As secretary - systemized the committee portfolios and organized a few Food Fairs
6. Miri Malay Association

• Life member
• Organized Malay cake competition in 2009
• As committee member in various activities
Her comments on Women
Women in the Malaysian context are more independent and more knowledge, enjoyed better opportunities in workplace and had more interesting lives. Women today are outstanding in various fields, professionals in many fields are increasing and many are successful entrepreneurs, happy that the Government has special programme to assist these women. They are better represented than before , however, there is still discrimination in some sectors. Lack of balance at one end of the spectrum, women are progressive, well educated and knowledgeable, on par with men but there is still a big gap for women in the rural areas that are lacking behind due to poor knowledge of health and hygiene due to poor education level especially from the poor income group.

LIZA CHAI

Everyone in Miri knows Liza Chai. She is synonymous with The Sun Flower Centre, a learning centre for the special children.
Liza Chai or Maria Isabel Navarr comes from Spain. She was studying nursing in the United Kingdom when she met her husband, Benjamin Chai. They got married and she had her first child, Bruce in London. She came to Sarawak, not knowing what the state looked like but was prepared for the surprises and the culture shock in store for her. It took quite a while to wear herself off her spanish traits. Liza admitted that it was hard for her to adjust her life in Sarawak but she eventually got use to the languages, culture and the environment around her. In retrospect, she says that no matter how different people are, there is always the universal culture of exercising courtesy and respect for one another. If anyone is new in town needs advice, she is the best person to talk to after staying in Miri for more than 40 years. Marrying into a Chinese family, Liza has to get acquainted with the various Chinese dialects like Hokkien and like a Chinese, loves Chinese culture and delights in spicy food. She also enjoys durians, the outdoor life, swimming and horse riding. Having gone through childbirth according to the Chinese customs, she even believes in “feng shui”(geomancy) and abides by some of the local taboos and beliefs.
Liza first arrived in Kuching in 1969. The lifestyle then was quite moderate and is quite easy to move around. In 1971, following her husband’s transfer, she landed in Miri. She was depressed to find only two streets of shop houses, a cinema and a bank in the town. However, the friendliness of the people around her makes her settle down quickly.
Involvement in Community Services
Being a foreigner, she felt that socializing is the best way to get around in a small town like Miri is to be involved in community services. She joined the Miri Red Crescent Society and her job was then to go around, recruiting blood donors. She had to go to government agencies and private sectors and the public response was not very encouraging. But that does not stop her persistence. She resigned from Miri Crescent Society when she has a second child. After a break, she felt that she needs to be involved with children with special needs. She knew a Dutch woman who initiated the formation of Sunflower Centre and has been involved with the centre since then. Although she is not paid as a full time volunteer, Liza is at the centre, rain or shine as early as 7.30 am and until 4.30 pm everyday without fail. Her biggest challenge is to train the special children to be independent, be able to use public transport and to practice personal hygiene.
The centre has succeeded in sending 10 special children out to the private sector to work independently and Liza attributes the success to determination, will power and cooperation between the children and the people involved.
Liza was awarded the Volunteer for the year in 2006 for her hard work at the centre.
Comments on Women
Women today are becoming more materialistic and demanding for a lot freedom and less responsibilities both at home and at work. It is all about pressure from the society of living up to a glamour life comparing themselves to others. This is all about attitude and their moral in life, so we can lower the divorce cases in Malaysia. For some women (with children), they think that going to work will be the solution of their financial problems without realizing that the same amount or more hours and money are spent on baby sitters or care takers.