In Celebration of International Women's Day
Imagine a gender-equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women's equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
In celebrating International Women's Day 2022, we invited three outstanding female leaders to share their perspectives on breaking the bias. We want to thank Trixie, Joanna, and Ashley for being part of our International Women's Day campaign.
While each woman's story is unique, their messages are universal. They've overcome their challenges, gone great distances on their own, and learned the power of strength and courage within themselves to achieve their visions. In many cases, they have inspired one another, many they are role models for the generation to come.
Do join us as we fundraise via the curated Break The Bias Collection in red to support AWARE's research, programs, and services for women and girls in need this March.
Trixie Khong, Founder/ CEO of By Invite Only and Mindful Company
Trixie Khong is wearing Shu Shirt Dress in Red.
1. Being an entrepreneur yourself, how do you #break The Bias in your workplace?
Let’s start with the bias we women probably feel the most and that is we are not capable or less capable then men in holding key or senior management positions and often because people think or assume that because of certain stereotypes.
Just a little context, By Invite Only team is made out of a landslide majority of female team members and perhaps because of this, any success we achieve with the brand is in itself a breaking of that bias everyday. All department heads, except for one, are made out of female team mates.
We believe the most important way as a workplace to breaking the bias has to start from our vision and method of hiring. We never pre-determine a certain gender, name, race or how someone looks for a job but always seek to find the best candidate for that position either through their experience or their capabilities. Often times, education for a role may not even come into play if someone has the right experience or if someone shows their superpower to fit very well for who we are looking for.
Another way I feel we do so is acknowledging emotion in the workplace. Normalising and admitting that we are all human beings and that emotion is part and parcel of our lives regardless of whether you’re home or at work. When we go through a breakup or problems at home, each and everyone will need support and understanding even at the workplace as it will inevitably affect our mental health and state of mind. We acknowledge or normalise emotions at work and never brush it aside as being ‘weak’ or because we’re women we’re 'emotional'. I think this swings both ways and applies for the men working in our company as well that if they are emotional, they are not weak but simply human.
2. As a woman, what is the biggest obstacles in life/ in work right now?
My biggest obstacle would be leaning in to bigger opportunities and subjecting myself to the unconscious bias as well and feeling limited because I am just a woman. I am currently trying to conceive however I also often catch myself giving in to the narrative that if I want to be successful, I might not be a good mom or unable to ‘do it all’.
3. If you have the superpower to #breakthebias for other women this International Women’s Day, what would it be?
I guess to superpower I would like to have is the ability to provide support for anyone who I come across who needs help. Be it my friends/family or team mates. I feel that having the ability to help others through listening, talking to them and sort of ’therapy’ is a gift that not everyone have.
4. Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
Truth be told, I do not feel it too much when I am at work because of how our team is structured but when I step out of the workplace and into the world, I forget that these obstacles still exist. For example, me and my husband would go to a trade show and they would immediately think he is the boss and I am the secretary. Our biggest obstacle is the unconscious biases that label us as women but also we can be our own obstacles/barriers if we do not come to terms with it.
Sometimes, I do play to these biases and let people think that they are not speaking to the boss, because then you will often see their true colours. I would never let it affect me too much or get angry and I think that is important.
Suppliers we work with internationally would also take us less seriously in the beginning but after being persistent in building a professional and fair relationships, we now have overcome that barrier.
Joanna Teo, 2nd-Gen of Floral Magic
Joanna Teo is wearing Journee Top in Red.
1. Being an entrepreneur yourself, how do you #break The Bias in your workplace?
We are a female-owned and female-run company, so much what the bias I face might be out of the workplace instead. It starts at home, so I try to be mindful of what I say when talking to my boys, and correct my parents, siblings or friends if they say something that might belittle the weight of womens' words and work.
2. As a woman, what is the biggest obstacles in life/ in work right now?
Striking a balance between work, mothering two active boys and still be able to carve out some me-time! I do flowers for weddings and events so my weekends are usually spent at work. I try to have pockets of time with my boys whenever my schedule allows. The bus ride to school is small daily ritual we have to enjoy each others' company.
3. If you have the superpower to #breakthebias for other women this International Women’s Day, what would it be?
Equality vision - or have them live our lives for a week? I think that short amount of time is enough for them to experience and understand what we go through. I love what Emma Watson said about equality. “It is time that we see all gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals.”
4. Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman/ mother? If so, how did you overcome them?
Thankfully I don't think it has impeded my career. I appreciate that I have the opportunity and independence to chart my own path, and many may not have this chance without a supportive family and work environment.
Ashley Yeo, Artist
Ashley Yeo is wearing Rosalyn Dress in Mud Red.
1. Being an Artist yourself, how do you #break The Bias in your Art world?
"Trying not to undervalue ourselves. Education and sharing information will be the key because there is a high tendency that artists tends to be taken advantage of their works which leads to an unhealthy practice of artists attaching a low value to their works. This will make it difficult for people to recognise and champion excellence in individual artists. Hence it is important to educate and reach to the mass by sharing processes and being transparent about the costs, time and effort and thoughts taken to complete one’s work. This will help to set an expectation which can build value and maintaining a bottom line where artists do not get lowballed.
2. As a woman, what are the biggest obstacles in life/ in work right now?
Currently women artists are still underrepresented in museum collections and galleries today— from artists to art dealers and business leaders to art collectors. The global nature of today’s art world is not friendly to those with children, but this is not unique to the art world. Ethical deliberations on gender equality are not really big considerations currently, but I hope that will change in the near future.
3. If you have the superpower to #breakthebias for other women this International Women’s Day, what would it be?
Dissipate any deep, internalized sexism and racism immediately, in anyone.
4. Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?
I have yet to face outright sexism in my career, but in any field where there are so many women in general but so few women at the top, we have to start asking structural questions about why that is.
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#BreakTheBias #SABRINAGOH
