Australian High Commission
Singapore
Singapore

International Women's Day 2021

Celebrating amazing women in Singapore

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2021, the Australian High Commission in Singapore is showcasing some portraits which celebrate inspiring contemporary women of Singapore.

The Straits Canopy's special project 'The Modern Nyonya' series of portraits, is currently on display in our Atrium. Learn more about some of these inspiring women below.

Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to be the first to know when new stories are added. 

We thank these women for sharing their inspiring stories and experiences with us.  

CLAIRE JEDREK I Fitness and Motorsports Presenter

I’m Claire Jedrek, and proudly call Singapore my home after twenty years. was born along the River Thames, London to a Singaporean mother and English father who’s father, my grandfather was from Krakow, Poland. I've worked in the media since I was 17 and took a short hiatus when I moved to Perth for 2.5 years. After moving back I dove back into what I was most comfortable with, Fitness & Sports. I returned to presenting for TV & events again in those industries.

This led me to my fiancé, race driver Yuey Tan, and commentating for karting. An opportunity then rose to test in single seater Formula Renaults and I learnt to manage a Singaporean racing team in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.

It was at this time in 2013 that I put a sponsorship package together, and started racing myself in the first season of the Malaysia Championship Series. I know it’s not always easy to start a new sport in your 30’s, I feel so grateful to have now finished a second year of racing competitively . I worked hard this year to improve my skill set because and I’ll always have the memory of getting to stand on the podium at the Malaysia Formula One support race this year. It will always be an incredible memory to me.

I love racing and it has breathed a unique space in the market for me as motorsport and automotive presenter, which I now live and breath.

I never felt so much love for my 30’s and there is more appreciation for friends and family, as I took on another project with my fiancé Yuey Tan and opened the electric fun kart business called The Karting Arena @ Bukit Timah.

The last 3 years of my life has been chock-a-blocked but it has been so rewarding trying to create a community sport, where people leave with a smile on their faces and a new skill set.

I feel like I have so much to offer and not enough hours in my day to finish everything I’d like to embark on.

What drives you to do what you do each day?

I have never really looked that far ahead and didn’t exactly know what I was getting myself into. I always felt a bit lost in my twenties and was unsure of myself. I truly do live by the rules that life is short, a bit cliché, but I am enjoying myself now and the endless possibilities that Singapore has led me to. I look forward to sipping on a wine on a weekday afternoon someday soon as a reward!

The most inspiring person you have known or the person you look up to the most?

I think my parents have been resilient and reinvented themselves many times over. They have instilled in me that hardwork is the only way and it is never too late to learn.

The third person who I deeply adore is Yuey Tan, as he has been patient with teaching me the ropes. Working with your partner 24/7, 7 days a week is incredibly difficult and I believe we’ve found the right mix of work and play.  I’d like to think that I have shared with him my values and knowledge. We always say our please and thank you’s to one another and remind each other to be kind to one another and those around us, there is no such thing as entitlement.

What one thing has helped you along your journey that you couldn’t live without?

My family and friends. They have supported me when I was in the deepest trough and helped to place me back on life’s peaks. It’s important to cut white noise in your life and be thankful for the ones who sit quietly and out of sight.

Best advice ever received?

Panic slowly. Our team racing engineer always says this to us. It’s something I apply all the time. It’s sometimes easier to assume the worst or have negative thoughts rather than staying calm and positive. At the end of the day we view the world the way we want it and I choose to view it positively.

What does the Modern Nyonya look like in your eyes?

The Modern Nonya has different cycles of the everyday woman. Breaking barriers, she has has a sense for adventure, and the belief that we should live not to regret.

If you had the opportunity to get a big message across to a large group of people, what would it be?

Don’t worry too much about what others think if you, we weren’t put here to please everyone. Learn to say No, and take on new challenges whether it be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. My challenge was to learn tennis and I finally learnt how to play!

Lastly go racing! It’ll change your life like it did to mine!

You can follow Claire at The Karting Arena@Bukit Timah  as well as Instagram @ClaireJedrek.

 

JANICE WONG | Pastry Chef

Janice Wong is a pastry chef who has moved countless times and celebrates the imperfect as perfect. A post graduate from the National University of Singapore and a stint at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris saw her bring her imagination to life with the creation of the 2am Dessert Bar. Grounded with learning experiences with some of the worlds best chefs – Janice shares with us her views on life and being a modern woman in Singapore today.

What drives you to do what you do each day?

Basically been doing pastry for the last 8 years and have the 2am Dessert Bar. The freedom of expression keeps driving me to do what I do each day.

The most inspiring person you have known or the person you look up to the most?

My father is a mentor. He is not in the business but when I am constantly faced with challenges he gives me life and work advice. He understands the business model and is an amazing sounding board.

Non living I always find Coco Chanel has a very strong individualistic character and personality that is portrayed in her literature and her work. A strong personality and view point that she brought in to her work and has stood the test of time. As a woman and in her age it was unusual.

What one thing has helped you along your journey that you couldn’t live without?

God plays a big part in my life since my younger days. Without religion it would be very hard. Moving on and focusing on things, forgiving is a big thing and being gracious. This has helped me to manage so many things over the last 8 years and holds me up.

Best advice ever received?

From my father – he always says to “learn to do everything”. You need to be able to do everything because you can’t rely on someone else to do everything.

What characteristics have helped you to get to where you are today?

Discipline and consistency are common themes for me. I have not been able to take a very long break and there has actually a lot of sacrifice.

What does the Modern Nyonya look like in your eyes?

Very confident and very sophisticated.

If you had the opportunity to get a big message across to a large group of people what would it be?

To pursue your passion and dreams because I have read before “the world actually conspires to pursue your dreams for you. “

You can find Janice at the 2am Dessert Bar and connect with her on Facebook for the multitudes of projects she always has going. Thank you for being a part of The Modern Nyonya Exhibition Janice.

 

GRACE CLAPHAM I Vision Chaser | Dot Connector | Interculturalist

Grace Clapham is the Change Entrepreneur behind the Change SchoolSecret {W} BusinessCreative Mornings Singapore and SheSays Singapore. Creating communities that empower women and thought processes that connect dots, she is truly inspiring. A winner of the Inspiration Leadership Awards by Talent Unleashed, judged by none other than Sir Richard Brandson and Steve Wozniak, was a defining moment and one to be acknowledged. Grace has connected dots and has a deep desire to help people unfold their own story. Here is what she tells us.

What drives you to do what you do each day?

I’d say there are a few things (I can’t narrow things down easily as I always say not one thing can feed my human needs!)
So what are they:

  • Growing up with a father who was a larger than life individual is a really big part of what drives me to do what I do each day.  His drive to help others was contagious and has definitely been passed on to me.
  • The other side of what drives me is simply seeing so many amazing individuals who are stuck or who have difficulty in finding their true self and fulfilment in what they want rather than what society thinks should be!  Each time I see a person start having signs of clarity in who they are, what they want to experiment or do it encourages me to do more of what I do.
  • Another would be my upbringing  and personal experiences of being a mixed kid and what some call a Third Culture Kid.

The most inspiring person you have known or the person you look up to the most?

I’ve always thought about this and I truly can’t say there is one person that I look up to the most (perhaps my father) but I find that there are characteristics in so many people that I appreciate and would like to embrace at different times.

What one thing has helped you along your journey that you couldn’t live without?

Meditation and my affirmations – I do daily affirmations and this has kept me sane.

Best advice ever received?

Everyone is quick to give advice. Don’t take anyone’s advice as seriously as they give it, decipher what works for you and take it and run with it – this is completely what I believe in and grateful for this everyday.

What support systems have helped you to get to where you are today?

My peer council which has consisted of some really good folks that know me, believe in me and challenge me.  People that I’ve met from our network Secret {W} Business or Creative Mornings Singapore.  In addition my husband has been pretty special (cheesy and he’ll hate it but it’s true!)

What does the Modern Nyonya look like in your eyes?

The Modern Nyonya is a global citizen, dreamchaser, storyteller and cultural builder who is  purpose orientated and soulful with a strong sense of fearlessness, resilience and compassion.

If you had the opportunity to get a big message across to a large group of people, what would it be?

We strongly believe we are in a significant moment of shift (for people but also systems in this world) and together we need to create exponential change for the future, however we need to build better understanding of ourselves and each other to learn, unlearn  and relearn in order for us to move forward.  Through The Change School we envision a world where people have clarity of themselves, connection to the world around them and competences to navigate and catalyse change as global citizens.  So our message to everyone would be, start finding your life’s compass, align your values and life choices (or business choices) to find more fulfilment – what are you waiting for?

 

ANITA KAPOOR | TV Host | Global Asian

Meet Anita Kapoor – TV host, traveller, food lover, story teller and best of all a global Asian. She speaks to us about what inspires her and what a captures the spirit of a modern woman living in Asia – a Modern Nyona.

I’m Indian-Anglo Indian, born in Mumbai, raised in Singapore. I used to write for a living; now I circle the globe speaking stories into cameras.

Travel is a mind bender – but only if you let it. It reminds you that the world is a small place, but her adventures are plenty.

The world is my office, but the Lion City will always be my home.

What drives you to do what you do each day?

I found what I love is what I’m good at is what I love.

The most inspiring person you have known or the person you look up to the most?

My mum. She’s a lion.

What one thing has helped you along your journey that you couldn’t live without?

Self awareness. The root of all change and process.

Best advice ever received?

Passion isn’t enough.

What support systems have helped you to get to where you are today?

I’m inspired every single day by regular women and men who persist with their dreams. I’ve been a solo player for a decade now and the simple truth is this – talent+self belief+working hard+doing good+having fun = success

What does the Modern Nyonya look like in your eyes?

She’s a woman who is unapologetic, open, inspired, energized, generous and self-aware.

If you had the opportunity to get a big message across to a large group of people, what would it be?

We are not here to grow rich, fat, meek and complacent in our little worlds. To live falsely assuming our place, or as if we are superior to anyone. We are here to grow poor of anger, ignorance and arrogance, lean with keen attention towards those who need us and those who don’t even know; bold with bravery to protect those who need it, and active with kindness and love that never needs to be asked for.

Thank you for being a part of Modern Nyonya Anita. Your global perspective, your understanding, your quest to inform and be informed are all so inspiring. We admire you! Follow Anita along here on Facebook and Instagram for an inside look at all her travels.

 

CHOY WAN | Ex TV and Radio human

What drives you to do what you do each day?

My love of life, and enjoying every second of what it brings to me. No matter if it's a bad average or spectacular moment. 

The most inspiring person you have known or the person you look up to the most?

My grandmother for her dedication to raising and taking care of her family wholeheartedly. 

What one thing has helped you along your journey that you couldn’t live without?

My girlfriends. They are my biggest sounding board in whatever decisions I've come to make in this life.

Best advice ever received?

Heaven has eyes. As long as you are a good person and do good things, all will be okay. (quoted originally in Cantonese by my maternal grandmother)

What support systems have helped you to get to where you are today?

My family and my closest friends definitely.

What does the Modern Nyonya look like in your eyes?

A dynamic and passionate woman who isn't afraid to get what she wants, but yet has strong and close familial ties. 

If you had the opportunity to get a big message across to a large group of people, what would it be?

Life is too short. Don't second guess yourself and seize the moment when you can. Make that leap of faith, otherwise you'll just question it for the rest of your life.