While everyday should feel like International Women’s Day, Mar 8 is officially recognised as International Women’s Day around the world. It was first observed by the United Nations on Mar 8, 1975 to not only celebrate women and their achievements but also to “accelerate gender parity”, according to the International Women’s Day website. For the past four decades, this has continued to be a day when people from all walks of life take a minute to appreciate and celebrate the powerful women in their lives and to push for greater gender equality.
Especially in light of the #MeToo movement, it’s important for women and men alike to support the cause of gender equality. Scroll through the gallery and check out how our favourite celebs used social media to share messages of hope and encouragement.
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Who: This veteran actress who has been in the show business for more than 23 years needs no further introduction. The actress with a heart of gold was in Nepal this International Women’s Day and she spent her afternoon at the Anita Milan School where the “Send your daughter to school” was started to make education more accessible to girls.
In her words: “Today we celebrate how far we’ve come in terms of women’s rights and also to look ahead at how we can improve the future.”
Photo: Fann Wong/Instagram
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Who: The 22-year-old top model of Austrian Chinese descent is a trailblazer in her own right. At the tender age of 18, she became the first non-celebrity model ambassador from Singapore to represent global beauty L’Oréal Paris in Asia. The fresh-faced model revealed to local media that she hopes to be able to make her mark in fashion New York and channel her experiences into what has been considered as the toughest fashion capital to break into.
In her words: “To all the women who have inspired and shaped me. May we lift more hearts together than we ever could on our own.”
Photo: Fiona Fussi/Instagram
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Who: The local model-actress was first discovered at the age of 16 by a talent scout when attending the wedding of her aunt, Ivy Chng, who was a runway model herself in the 1980s. The newly wed who recently tied the knot with banker Deon Woo reminds us that it’s vital for women to learn to recognise their self-worth and to love themselves.
In her words: “We are only as blind as we want to be. We ignore truths for temporary happiness.”
Once upon a time, I chose to be blind to love that hurt. I’m done, completely done being that person. Sometimes, all we need to do is listen to the head and the tired heart. The truth is there. Believe it and make the right decision. Love shouldn’t be complicated. I used to be an emotional wreck. If I can be strong, so can the rest of the world.”
Photo: Sheila Sim/Instagram
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Who: Despite being only 24-years-old, one-fourth of popular local indie band, The Sam Willows, Narelle has already toured Malaysia and parts of America, and has even diversified her portfolio by branching out into acting and hosting. The pop darling who has a polished personal style was even handpicked by Swedish label, H&M, to front the brand’s fall 2017 campaign.
In her words: “(M)ost importantly women who aspire, inspire, love and lift each other.”
Photo: Narelle Kheng/Instagram
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Who: After completing her Psychology degree at the University of Winnipeg in Canada, Sui Tang returned to Taiwan to pursue a modelling career. The 37-year-old mother-of-two was also able to transition successfully into acting and hosting television shows. The model-actress is best known for her role as Hsieh An-chen in the 2010 television series, “The Fierce Wife”.
In her words: “To the women who put in their all for their families and their careers, today is our day. Here’s wishing us good health, beauty and bliss.”
Photo: Sui Tang/Instagram
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Who: She’s a jet-setter, entrepreneur and entertainer. Jade seems to be an all-round wonder woman. We wonder how Jade manages to fit everything into her schedule and look this good. She is also making a name for herself as a TV host, blogger and social media star (boasting over 70, 000 followers on Instagram).
In her words: “The secret to happiness is freedom. The secret to freedom is courage.”
Photo: Jade Seah/Instagram
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Who: The pint-sized 25-year-old is a radio jockey who is adored for her charm and wit on radio. When she is off-the-air, she is earning serious hosting credentials and solidifying her status as an “It” girl. Her quirky and playful fashion style and sense of humour has earned her a strong social media following (with over 90,000 followers on Instagram and counting).
In her words: “It’s perfectly fine for us girls to wear the pants.”
Photo: Sonia Chew/Instagram
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Who: Whether she is in front of the screen, in the glossy pages of your magazine, or on social media, it’s clear that Rosalyn Lee is no wallflower. In 2017, the former Lush 99.5FM deejay announced that she will be ending her 14 year long career as a radio presenter. Today, the cool girl is focusing on seeing the world (she has been to 39 countries thus far).
In her words: “It’s really that simple. Keep this in mind not just on today’s observance of international women’s day but on every other day. We’re often too judgemental towards our own, myself included. This has to change. Tag a friend you love.”
Photo: Rosalyn Lee/Instagram
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Who: It is no secret that one-quarter of The Sam Willows, Sandra Riley Tang, is a fitness enthusiast. The bronzed beauty does cross-fit training, yoga, rockclimbing, muay thai, Brazilian jiujitsu and weightlifting. Little wonder, then, with fitness so close to her heart, she co-founded her own fitness startup, The Yoga Co, Singapore’s first home concept yoga studio.
In her words: “The best way for us to cultivate fearlessness in our daughters and other young women is by example. If they see their mothers and other women in their lives going forward despite fear, they’ll know it’s possible.”
Photo: Sandra Riley Tang/Instagram
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