With love in the air this month, there’s no better way to spread it than to share it with the less fortunate. In the spirit of love, Privé Clinic and social enterprise CRIB Society have come together to create All for Love, a campaign that directly benefits Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT), a local charity that empowers women from low-income families with skills training and employment-bridging to help them gain sustained employment.
At the heart of this campaign is Privé Clinic’s collaboration with leather artisans Bynd Artisans. The duo have teamed up to create a series of eight leather card cases inscribed with eight prolific women’s favourite love quotes. These feature foil stamped in rose gold and are made from natural grained cow hide leather with linen thread stitching, and faux suede inner lining. Available in blush pink, these cases come with a zipped compartment for cards, coins and notes. It also has a back slip pocket for cards and a gunmetal zipper with matching key hook. That’s not all. Each purchase also comes with a Clé de Peau Beauté travel kit.
In the spirit of women helping women, we ask these inspiring ladies their reasons for supporting DOT.
Dr Karen Soh
I like the fact that they single out women to empower, and that the donations go towards creating jobs or upgrading the skills to obtain sustained employment. DOT also has an eye on children and lend practical help in terms of offering skills like money management to help improve their lives permanently. They are also working with employers to help them understand the difficult circumstances some of these women have to endure, as well as to promote understanding and accommodation.
How did you get involved in the campaign?
It started over a heart-to-heart chat and coffee with my good friend Tjin Lee. We were recounting how difficult it is for working mothers to find support, and how blessed we are to have the jobs we do. Our financial independence gives us the freedom to make choices. We wanted to do something for other women who may be in a difficult phase in their lives and lend a helping hand to tide things things over. Daughters of Tomorrow is a charity that does exactly that.
We hope to spread the word about the needs of women and that people who support us will donate directly to the charity.
On a day-to-day basis, how else do women help women?
Women should support a cause that they are passionate about. Sometimes we think that only big organisations or foundations can make a difference, but what little we do can have a big impact too. Every little bit helps.
Tjin Lee
What inspires you about Daughters of Tomorrow?
This charity empowers underprivileged women in Singapore and facilitates livelihood opportunities. I find this much more impactful and inspiring than simply giving donations. DOT helps connect with livelihoods as a path to sustainability and independence, which is ultimately the best outcome to help them out of a poverty cycle.
What drew you to be part of it?
The idea of being able to galvanise a community of like-minded women-led businesses to contribute in a meaningful way.
How did you get involved in the campaign?
As the co-founder of CRIB, we’re constantly seeking opportunities in which CRIB can give back to make a positive social impact.
What are your hopes for this campaign?
I hope the campaign can inspire more women-led businesses to collaborate in future, to support and grow each other, and lead with positive social impact for the community. I fully believe that we are in a position to help and can all do more. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. It’s all about taking that first step.
On a day-to-day basis, how else do women help women?
They mentor, uplift and inspire each other.
Dolores Au
Women become mothers and mothers are the heart of a family unit. Helping and empowering underprivileged women and mothers give them the confidence, the skill sets and opportunities to change their lives, as well as the family members for the better. Sustainability and financial-independence is the foundation of a strong family unit, the fabric of society. I am grateful that we have well-run non-profit organisations like Daughters of Tomorrow recognising the need for women to uplift other less privileged women through action and advocacy.
This project was conceived by two women I have a lot of respect for, and I am personally close with: Tjin Lee, one of my co-founders of #lifebeyondgrades and a pal I’ve known for close to 20 years as well as Dr Karen Soh, founder of Privé Clinic and a supportive friend and fan of Mummyfique.com, one of my digital businesses. I said yes when they asked me to be part of this meaningful campaign and naturally, I picked the one person that has influenced me the most to become the person I am today: My mum.
That our personal stories of love and strength resonate with other women, and they will find it in their hearts to support the campaign by purchasing the lovely Bynd Artisan pouch with my favourite love quote. A little love and a little contribution can go a long way in helping another woman, another family.
On a day-to-day basis, how else can women help women?
Sometimes, we women can be our own worst enemy when we put others down instead of lifting them up. Something as simple as sending a supportive message or an encouraging note can be quietly empowering to the other party.
Dr Loh May-Han
DOT achieves its mission by enabling underprivileged women with practical societal-integrating skills, knowledge and opportunities. These are more sustainable in the long term compared to one-time monetary assistance. DOTS executes what the Chinese proverb teaches: “Give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.”
Supporting an organisation whose work I identify with, and working with my dear friends on the campaign.
When gal pal Tjin first invited me, sharing that it will be a collaboration with our dear friends Karen, Winnie and James, and more importantly with the mission to support a meaningful cause, I agreed to be on board straightaway.
To raise a good quantum from sales of the pouches where all proceeds will go to DOT, and more importantly, to raise the profile of DOT so that more people in our society become aware of the good work they do and support them.
On a day-to-day basis, how else do women help women?
In general, women may have greater sensitivity to smaller nuances in everyday matters, set harsher standards for ourselves and even be critical of other women. Women can help women by being more loving to ourselves and more lovable to others. A kind gesture may not always have to be a grand one but even the smallest action, thought and words can elevate herself and women around her.
Joy Tan
What inspires you about Daughters of Tomorrow?
DOT is a homegrown not-for-profit organisation that walks the talk in terms of empowering underprivileged women and working to build a socially integrative employment culture in Singapore.
What drew you to be part of it?
The Financial Women’s Association of Singapore, on whose board I sit, has supported DOT’s initiatives for the past few years, and I’m glad to continue that engagement on a personal level. That I get to spend this time with my daughter is an added treat.
What are your hopes for this campaign?
I would love for us to come together to build a society and business community that is gender-blind, that has no barriers to education and career advancement so that can help our children grow into their best selves.
Dr June Goh
The wide range of women they help and the direct impact they have on those who live under the most difficult and trying circumstances.
I’m always glad to be part of a worthy cause. Plus, both Karen and Tjin are good friends of mine so I am happy to help out in their projects.
I hope it will raise the profile of Daughters of Tomorrow and highlight the plight of low-income women in Singapore. I also hope this creates awareness of their needs in terms of education and training.
On a day-to-day basis, how else do women help women?
Women can help women as friends, colleagues and employers, and provide advice, mentorship, psychological support as well as work place flexibility.
Melissa C Koh
Every girl grows up with a big dream but some are not as fortunate to be given that opportunity to chase or live it. Everyone deserves that same opportunity to run after their dreams.
What drew you to be part of it?
Daughters of Tomorrow not only does good work for these underprivileged children and families, they also inspire the privileged to do more. Kindness from the heart of one person, and then a group of people, deeply inspires me to contribute and want to do the same.
What are your hopes for this campaign?
I hope that this campaign can help spread the word and reach out to the masses so that the voices of Daughters of Tomorrow will be heard.
On a day-to-day basis, how else do women help women?
I believe the strongest trait about women is empathy. Women are great role models, wonderful companions and most of all, have excellent listening ears. Being empathetic and sensitive is a good start to lending a helping hand. This empathy should first be extended at home, to close friends, to colleagues at her workplace, and then to everyone else in the larger community.
Shireena Shroff Manchharam
What does women empowerment mean to you?
To me women empowerment means several things. I think in this day and age, people use the word easily, but to me it really is a feeling. A feeling of being strong, both physically and mentally, of being confident and content with what you have as well as feeling comfortable in your own skin. It really is the power of believing that you can do anything.
Women empowerment has come in different shapes and forms to me. First, I was empowered when I gave birth to two wonderful children. Then I felt empowered when I started running two successful businesses. Now, in this stage of my life — with a plethora of experiences and learnings — I am able to empower my daughter, empower the young women that I employ at House of Sheens, and also the women that I mentor through my coaching practice
