Sassy Mama Supports: Women of Hope

Celebrate Hong Kong’s influential women who champion the calls for social justice for women, children and our community…

We’re all about supporting exceptional women in our community who work tirelessly in their field to bring awareness and change to those who are disadvantaged. Jo Soo-Tang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation (aka #bosslady and one of our That Mama’s!) started the Women of Hope Awards to recognise these outstanding individuals and their work for others all over Hong Kong. We sit down with Jo and find out more about the upcoming Women of Hope Awards.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you were inspired to launch Women of Hope.
In 2014, I launched the Gift of Hope bracelet for the foundation and at the time I wanted people to be able to donate an amount of money that was not excessive. By purchasing a bracelet, it was also possible to show and inspire others by wearing the piece. We were able to ask a range of women ambassadors to wear the bracelet and take photos of them. This became the start of our campaign for our Women of Hope.

The campaign was inspired from this programme and as a working mum I wanted to promote other successful women and mothers. We all play a range of roles in our lives as mothers, wives, business owners, etc. In my case it is mother, wife, business owner, consultant, philanthropist and a collaborator to many of my clients and partners.

What does Women of Hope aim to accomplish this year? Where do the funds go?
The Women of Hope Awards was established in 2014 to recognise influential women in Hong Kong who champion the call for justice for women, children, and the community, as well as ladies who continue to astound Hong Kong with their ability create, inspire and offer hope.

On Thursday, May 19th 2016, the third annual Women of Hope awards luncheon will be held at the Asia Society. Honouring inspirational women in eight different categories, the WOH Awards luncheon will benefit the HKAHF’s Cancer Fund, by helping the sick who do not have the financial means and immediate access to high cost treatment (such as PET and CT scans or MRIS) and also allow them the use of the Adventist Hospital Oncology Centre.

The event will consist of testimonials from cancer survivors and an awards presentation for the 8 honourees.

How are your esteemed nominees selected each year? Why have you chosen these eight categories?
The WOH Event Committee and I sit down and select nominees and recommend them to Tatler. Tatler then also recommends their selections and they are then culled accordingly.

We have had 8 categories from the very beginning, when I started this programme with The List Magazine, and continue to push these categories so everything is consistent. The categories include: health advocates, eco-warrior, power and influence, entrepreneur, champion for better life, children’s advocate, global champion and art and culture.

How can readers of Sassy Mama get involved?
Sassy Mama readers can get involved by voting for their preferred nominees. I encourage all readers to share about this meaningful event and help us drive awareness for this campaign.

www.hk.woh.asiatatler.com

Good luck to our very own Sassy Mama nominee under Champion of Better Life, Kelly Gave!