President's Message
American Women's Association Of Singapore
A Fond Farewell Dear AWA Community, It is with a sad heart that I write my last President’s Message. I will be repatriating to the USA at the end of June. It has been quite a year to be President: taking over from Mel Rice in July and then the Circuit Breakers and groups of five, then groups of eight. it was not the AWA year that any Deb Minnock of us had ever anticipated! President I can only express my deep appreciation for all of the volunteers who helped keep the AWA active and positive through these trying times. I am especially grateful for Lorraine Graybill and Meg Farrell Sine for their leadership of the Communications Team, and all of the very talented Communications Team members for helping us stay connected when social media and electronic communication became our link to staying informed. Thank you also to the Athletic Groups who keep us busy and keep our stircraziness at bay. We all will remember being here together during the global pandemic, and I know I feel fortunate to have been in such a safe and beautiful place. May brings Mother’s Day, and I hope you all take time to reflect on your mothers if they have passed away. My mother passed away in May 2019 at the age of 96, and she was always my biggest cheerleader and the kindest person I’ve ever known. Through my adult years, we used to travel together to all sorts of places; one of her favorite spots in the
American Women’s Association of Singapore 15 Scotts Road #03-01 Singapore 228218 General Manager: Sarah Cockerill Main: 6734-4895 Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am to 4:00 pm www.awasingapore.org
world was the southern coast of Spain. If your mother is still living, make sure you send her flowers or a plant or something, and/or video-call her, or plan this Mother’s Day for a post-COVID trip together. We all know time is precious and fleeting. I would like to say how proud I am of the AWA’s Community Service initiatives this past year. Ashley Fagan has done an excellent job thinking of ways we can give back to Singapore and connect with the community in these times, which hasn’t been easy. Food From the Heart and Willing Hearts (thank you Janet Stride and Spring Sun) were always strongly supported. I loved the March Star Shelter initiative for battered women. And Linda Nguyen Schindler, as our External Affairs chair, has been such a positive force representing the AWA in the greater Singapore community. The AWA is in service to women throughout every phase of their lives, to each other within the AWA and in the Singapore community, and it is through this service that we excel. I know the AWA will be kept vibrant, fulfilling and diverse yet inclusive in the year to come. Thank you to my wonderful Board, to Sarah Cockerill, and to all the fantastic volunteers for a job well done through the tough times of COVID-19. Special thanks to Board members Ali Donaldson, Caitlin Fry, Venta Norvilas, and Emily Ludwick, who are stepping down or leaving Singapore, for their roles on the Board— you helped make my job easy. I will miss you all.
FAQ’s/Important Information • The AWA welcomes all nationalities, not just Americans. • AWA guest fees apply to Singapore residents. Out of town guests and family members pay the AWA member price. • Guests are entitled to attend 2 events (in total, not per year) before we ask them to join the AWA to continue participating. • You can register for membership and events any time on our website: www.awasingapore.org
AWA Misson Statement The American Women's Association is a sisterhood of women from around the world, who come together to enhance their Singapore experience through fulfilling volunteer run events and activities. -- 2 --
AWA Magazine - May/Jun 2021
