A WA's History in Singapore 85 years on the red dot
Written by Meg Sine The American Women’s Association’s long and celebrated history goes back 85 years, to when Singapore was part of the British Empire, Amelia Earhart and Mickey Mouse were top celebrities, and a Raffles Hotel renovation had just added its beautiful and iconic extended front veranda.
Early Years In 1935, the American Women’s Auxiliary (AWA) was created as part of a businessmen’s club called the American Association of Singapore (AAS). This women’s auxiliary was “to have their own officers and committees, but to work in close cooperation with the officers of the men’s AAS.” Singapore at the time was like a tropical soup, combining a multicultural Asian population with colonial British society. American expatriates lived in palatial homes commonly staffed by six to eight servants whose household duties were strictly prescribed along racial lines. The minutes of an early AWA meeting collected a litany of complaints about “mold and mildew, ancient plumbing, bugs, snakes and chickens and cows blocking traffic.” Happily, the AWA provided an important social network to help members adapt to a new lifestyle and unfamiliar cultural setting. The AWA’s purpose, as stated in its initial bylaws, was “to unite its members for promoting fellowship, furthering cultural interests and participating in the community activities of Singapore.” -- 6 --
Post-War Years In the wake of the disruption and displacement of WWII, the AWA regrouped by organizing rummage sales to sell goods needed by a war-torn society. According to AWA member Martha Smith,
“We sold wired bras as seines (wire nets) to be used by Malay fishermen, toothbrushes for scrubbing vegetables, cosmetics and even costume jewelry. Zippers were priceless and many a dress was bought just for the zipper.” As an organization, the AWA began a long tradition of community service and fundraising activities for local welfare organizations, primarily the Children’s Aid Society. With the advent of the post-war baby
AWA's Yuletide Bazaar in early 1970's
AWA Annual Issue 2020-2021
