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Women Helping Women

Two inaugural events back-to-back in Beijing in May highlighted the rising visibility of women's rights in the public sphere in China.

As a single population, Chinese women around the globe represent a significant population of 660 million people. In Beijing recently, some of the more visible of that number, along with local expatriate women, did more than their fair share to help raise the visibility of Chinese women and their achievements.

On May 19, the first OLAY Women's World Excellence Awards (OWWEA) brought more than 500 Chinese women together at the Beijing Hotel, who honoured the outstanding achievements of Chinese women around the world. The day before, a local gathering of Chinese and expatriate women teed-off at the Beijing Country Golf Club to raise awareness and money to battle breast cancer, acknowledged as the leading cause of death among Chinese women worldwide.

The Pink Ribbon Golf Tournament in Beijing event, co-sponsored by Demesne de Golf and Beijing Ladies Golf Club (BLG) raised 75,000 yuan (about US$9,352).

Attending both events were Chinese women from the United States, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, the West Indies, parts of Europe and Canada.

Josephine Chong-Schlittler, 2006 OWWEA organiser, said: "We can say that perhaps not every outstanding and deserving Chinese woman was nominated at the awards–that is impossible–but we can say that ALL Chinese women are winners."

Women of all ages were cited for their outstanding achievements in the categories of business, entrepreneurship, social services, art and sports.

In September 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao met Lei Jieqiong, honorary president of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD) to congratulate her on reaching 100 years of age. Lei won the Star of China LifeTime Achievement Award at the 2006 OWWEA for her outstanding contributions to China. Born in 1905, Lei has served as a vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, vice-chairwoman of the CPPCC National Committee, and chairwoman of the CAPD, since its inception in 1945. On receiving her award, Lie, 101, said she was delighted to be able to receive the award in person. She was accompanied to the podium by Chen Ailian, 77, a renowned dancer and entrepreneur, herself an award winner for contributions to the arts.

Although noteworthy for different reasons, from green to tee, the women of BLG were delighted with their achievement. Anna Janssen, Pink Ribbon organiser and chairperson of BLG said: "We are very happy with the outcome. It was a huge success for our first event. Fifty-seven ladies played in the tournament and we surpassed our expectations. The money will be donated to the Peking Union Medical Hospital (PUMCH) breast cancer treatment and research department where a fund will be set up in the name of the Beijing Ladies Golf Club." The money will help offset the costs of treatment and reconstructive surgery for individual Chinese woman who survive breast cancer.

"Our idea was to sponsor one woman at a time. PUMCH are very cooperative and are willing to work with us. We will discuss specifically how we would like the funds to be distributed. We will select the patients and follow their progress.  With the moneys raised, it is going to be possible to change lives of seven women for the better," said Janssen.

As director of the Beijing Sun Village Children Education and Consultation Center Zhang Shuqin is another Chinese woman doing much to help others.

Zhang received a Gold Award at 2006 OWWEA along with Jennie Chua, CEO of Singapore Raffles Holdings, Yang Mianmian, chairman of Haier Group and Zheng Xiaoying, conductor of the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra.

A former senior police officer, during the past ten years Zhang has helped care for more than 150 offspring of people convicted of crimes imprisoned in China. Her work continues to be an inspiration to Chinese woman everywhere.

"With greater equalities in education and the workplace, Chinese women are a very important factor in any country's growth and development; China is no exception. Our aim is to create the first global platform for Chinese women, to showcase their multiple talents and abilities, to celebrate, honour and highlight these women of excellence,"said Chong-Schlittler.

OWWEA hopes to continue as an annual event and next year will stage the inaugural Women's World Global Women Leaders Summit.

"We will invite Chinese women leaders from government, business, arts, media and culture to share their experiences and discuss the many challenges of doing business in different parts of the world," said Chong-Schlittler.

The BLG Pink Ribbon event also hopes to return next year, raising money on the green, despite some disappointing attitudes to publicly supporting anti-breast cancer activities.

"What was surprising was how difficult it was to get our naming sponsor. We approached many of the larger companies and, thankfully, Demesne de Golf had enough confidence in our cause to participate. Because of the success of our first tournament, hopefully, these companies will be more inclined to support us next year," said Janssen.

Other high profile winners at this year's 2006 OWWEA were US businesswoman Alie Chang, given her own "Alie Chang Day" on April 12 in the US State of California by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Myrna T. Yao, president of the National Council of Women in the Philippines and recently appointed chairperson of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, the first time a Chinese–Filipino woman has held such a position. Chinese sportswomen, Qi Hui of the China National Swimming Team, Cheng Fei of the China National Gymnastics Team and Guo Jingjing of the China National Diving Team were given Silver Awards for their outstanding achievements in sport.

"I think it's very important to give back to the local community. I enjoy living here in China. If I can do my part to help out, I am only too happy to do so. Just knowing that I played a role in changing even one woman's life for the better is gratifying enough," said Janssen.

OWWEA's Chong-Schlittler said, "We hope the stories and experiences of these women will inspire others to follow their dreams and achieve their goals. We hope to help build Chinese women's self-confidence so that they can be whatever they set their hearts to be."