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!