AWA Singapore History

AWA'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.”

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

boom, the women of the AWA were increasingly concerned about their children’s education. Singapore American School (SAS) opened in 1956 with AWA members effectively serving as the first PTA. AWA activities centered around the popular pastimes of mahjong, golf, tennis and bridge. In the early years, AWA members also helped organize the three American holiday traditions begun by the men of AAS: the George Washington Ball, the Fourth of July Picnic and a baseball picnic held in November (later replaced by a Thanksgiving

Day Dinner).

By 1955, AWA funded about 30 well-vetted charities through income generated by a fashion show, Yuletide bazaar, rummage sales and lending library fees.

Singapore Independence

By the mid 1960s, the 245 AWA members began paying membership dues of $10.00. To promote fellowship and help welcome newcomers, the AWA expanded its roster of activities to include knitting, bowling, Malay lessons, gourmet cooking, social dancing and a literacy group. Hospitality to newcomers, always a main focus, was expanded to include meeting with members of other women’s organizations. In the 1970s, the AWA was finding the American community had become much larger, with a diversity of options in schooling, housing and social

AWA's International Woman of the Year ceremony, 2006

activities. Expat life in newly independent Singapore benefited from airline and telephone deregulation (cheaper flights and telephone calls) and an increase in imported goods and services.

Major Organizational Change

Recognizing these changes in the community, the American Women’s Association became independent

AWA Fashion Show, March 1988 of AAS in 1981, changing its focus from being allied with a community organization to one more suited to the needs of women-- especially in welcoming newcomers to Singapore. For the 50th year anniversary of AWA in 1985, Bamboo Telegraph (now AWA Magazine) was first published as an informative monthly resource for members. The glossy magazine featured advertisements and information about community service and volunteer work, sporting and hobby groups, foreign and local tours and even the home phone numbers of the executive board and committee chairpersons. By the mid 1990s, with nearly 2,400 members, AWA revenues had grown to exceed SG $1 million for the first time. The days of baking cakes and rummage sales had passed, but the AWA tradition of working together as volunteers continued year after year.

Y2K Years

Since the turn of the 21 st century, the AWA sisterhood has remained focused on welcoming newcomers, sharing talents and resources, and engaging in diverse activities. Milestone occasions in the 2000s include the first Home Tour (2000), the AWA website (2005), the Hands Across the Table cookbook (2006), the first Holiday Lights Tour and Spring Fashion Show (2008), and the Thong Teck Building office (2017). Joining the American Women’s Association is not just for newcomers. Just like the brave and pioneering charter members of the AWA 85 years ago, the idea remains to make friends, volunteer, and join activities. Do so and your life in Singapore will be immeasurably richer. For more information, visit awasingapore.org.

Meg lived and traveled all over Asia for almost 25 years before moving to SIngapore in 2018. She enjoys biking, walking and quilting with AWA Creative Hands.