Saturday, November 26, 2011

Sharinah, a shining example for women

What say you on the issue below?

VISIBLY overcome with emotion as she paused several times while delivering her acceptance speech, Sharinah Md Nor, 49, certainly had a big night to remember.

The remarkable mother and entrepreneur was named the winner of the Tun Dr Siti Hasmah-Women’s Institute of Management (WIM) Inspirational Woman Award for 2011 at an awards gala on Monday.

The award was initiated by the Women’s Institute of Management, Malaysia in 2003. Presented on a biennial basis since 2003, the award aims to honour women from disadvantaged backgrounds who succeeded despite adversity.

However, the criteria for this award also requires that potential candidates also contribute back to the community.

Well deserved: Dr Siti Hasmah (right) presenting the award to Sharinah.

Besides the simple award trophy, the winner also received RM30,000 (of which two-thirds would go to a WIM project of the winner’s choice) as well as RM38,000 worth of crystal, chinaware and personal accessories from sponsoring designer brands and houses.

Among some of the distinguished guests attending the dinner was former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, for whom the award was named.

Also in attendance were WIM chairperson Tan Sri Napsiah Omar, awards organising committee chairperson Puan Sri Siew Yong Gnanalingam and NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women (NIEW) director Tan Sri Rafiah Salim, who also headed the judging panel for the 2011 awards.

In her speech during the dinner, Dr Siti Hasmah said that she was moved that the award has been named after her and expressed the hope that the award winner would inspire others.

“I hope the award winner will be a shining example to others who are similarly faced with challenges and difficulties,” said Dr Siti Hasmah.

For the winning finalist Sharinah, the award has served to underscore what people can achieve.

“I hope that my award will serve as an inspiration to others, for women and especially those who are handicapped. For parents of handicapped children, one thing I would urge is not to be overprotective of your children. Don’t ‘shield’ them from the world, but let them go to school together with other children, and they’ll be stronger for it,” said Sharinah.

Alongside Sharinah, there were four other remarkable women who stood as finalists for the award as well.

“I did not know that I’d been proposed for the award by my superior until he called to tell me. Just being here makes me feel honoured, and now I am even more encouraged to do more for the community,” said Saroja Kunjuraman, 54.

In addition to her daily work as the Head Nurse in the Dental Department at Grik, Saroja also conducts courses and self-help workshops for single Indian mothers, as well as assisting disadvantaged Malaysian Indians in various aspects such as counselling and helping them obtain assistance from relevant quarters.

Choong Lai Ling, 40, who serves as the executive director for PJ Live Arts, expressed her happiness for Sharinah.

“I already feel like a winner, just being one of the finalists. Having my friends, more than 30 of them, at this dinner to support and cheer,” said the mother of four, who started working as a salesperson at 12 to help pay for her school fees and books.

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