Kate Spade Ny is a lifestyle brand that celebrates interesting women around the world living unique lives of empowerment, self-expression and joy. This season, in honour of International Women's Day on March 8, the company recognizes the achievements of five amazing Malaysian women who have made – and continue to make – a difference in the lives of others:
o Dato' Shyamala Alagendra, International Lawyer
o Heidy Quah, Human Rights Advocate and founder of Refuge for The Refugees
o Dr. Jezamine Lim, Co-founder /CEO of Cell Biopeutics Resources
o Nor 'Phoenix' Diana, Professional Hijabi Wrestler
o Dr Anjhula Mya Singh Bais, International Trauma Psychologist
These women are challenging inequality and adversity every day. And as a brandname that champions strong female leaders, Kate Spade Ny is sharing the amazing voices of these primary agents of change.
“International Women's Day is a global moment for both women and men to mirror on how our actions and our decisions have moved us closer to a far more equal society for those genders, and from discrimination,” says Dato' Shyamala Alagendra. This powerful lawyer is presently the Gender and Child Rights Adviser to the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), after you have previously served as the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions of Fiji. “When we have seen injustice and inequality, we should aim to stop it, speak facing it, and applaud and join people who choose to challenge such injustice by word and deed.”
For Heidi Quah, founding father of Refuge For The Refugees, International Women's Day celebrates women who have helped rewrite history. “This day is a strong marker from the strength of womanhood, each day around to reflect on everything ladies have survived, changed, and can still change. I celebrate the refugee women and victims of trafficking that I work with closely-their strength and resilience inspires me to help keep being bold and courageous in speaking up against injustice. Their grit and style in navigating adversaries inspire me to continue to #choosetochallenge systems and structures that silence, oppress, and exploit vulnerable communities.”
“When I began my journey in the BioTech field, I noticed there were-and still are-very few women that take part in this industry. I think it is important personally along with other women in this field to challenge this status quo!” says Dr. Jezamine Lim, who had been the very first woman to attain a PhD in Stem Cell and Tissue engineering in UKM. Dr Lim Can also be the Co-founder /CEO of Cell Biopeutics Resources, which aims to produce world-class stem cell-derived cosmetic products and therapeutic treatments for unmet medical diseases. “We need to help break the perception that this is really a 'man's game' and prove that gender is not related to an individual's capability to excel in this, or any, field.”
“One of the biggest barriers for me personally is society's expectation of me. They don't need to see someone like me in pro wrestling. How do I overcome this adversity? I actually do this by continuing to pursue my dreams of being a wrestler,” says the world's first hijab-wearing Pro Wrestler, Nor 'Phoenix' Diana. Known all over the world when it comes to wrestling, this shy and reserved woman is much more confident and bold when she's in the ring as her stage character, Phoenix. “I believe it is vital that you celebrate the achievements of of ladies from all all over the world. I enjoy begin to see the accomplishments of other great women around me to keep me motivated and driven.”
As an ideal illustration of a great woman who inspires other women, Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais wears multiple hats like a human rights advocate, an Amnesty Director, a global trauma Psychologist – who had been one of the six psychologists within the entire good reputation for the young world leader program around the globe economic forum – along with a model. “Many individuals are conflict-avoidant, especially women, who by traditional standards are socialized to become nice, polite, and sort. They're taught that these traits overcome all else. I consciously, but respectfully, challenge what there is to challenge, otherwise how else can change come? From board rooms to bedrooms, women have to think about what they have been spoon-fed and trained to think, and usually it is some variant of 'I am insufficient.”
Kate Spade New York has partnered with one of these women to highlight the role that self-love plays in the empowerment journey of women and treated all five to a fashionable photo session where they were decked in Kate Spade's latest Spring 2022 collection. Malaysian photographer and founding father of Cxpturing Souls Studios, Amanda Tan, shared, “It would be a treat to become shooting and interacting with an all-female team that demonstrates the strength and know-how of women.”
