Girlbosses by the Lakeside: An International Women’s Day Feature | By Daryln
Illustrated by Rachel, Sammi, Xin Tung, Calista.
I know, It’s unequivocally taboo in the academic world. God forbid that any lecturer finds Wikipedia being cited in a research paper. Nevertheless, its convenience certainly makes it appealing for a fun browse-through now and then, taking a leisurely stroll through the copious amount of topics that would otherwise completely float past your head. With this said,it should be unsurprising, then, that the ‘International Women’s Day’ Wikipedia page has recently tainted my browsing history.
With my credibility at stake, it’s perhaps helpful to reassure any reader out there that I did, soon after, refer to the official IWD website for more clarification on the background of International Women’s Day. This was where I’d gathered a brief crash-course of the roots of IWD, where a national celebration sprung up late February 1909 by the Socialist Party of America, until it began attracting international audiences a year later. This was then followed by a number of protests worldwide whereby women gathered together to fight for gender equality issues that still continue up to this current era. While I will reserve my personal opinions regarding the roots of this movement, I hope that this preamble introduces the origins of this cause to you.
Nevertheless, it is surprisingly easy, unfortunately, to conjure up to the mind about the woes of inequality and gender discrimination whenever IWD is brought up. It appears to be the perfect starting point of a perpetual argument pertaining to the issue of gender-based inequality. However, this article will approach the topic by downsizing it to a very local scale: within the confines of Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus. It seemed appropriate for Taylorians to celebrate the popular day of International Women’s Day by celebrating the diverse female leadership and healthy co-working environment fostered by our very own Taylorians. Thus, I interviewed five (out of the many) strong female voices in our Taylorian community, to share their stories in conjunction with International Women’s Day 2022.
Meet our Taylorian female girlbosses
Taylor’s University Student Council (TUSC) acts as the bridge for students to address problems, strengthen campus engagement and enhance student interaction. A body composed of students from multiple backgrounds, the council is currently led by its President, Mikhall Mazlan, and his vice, Nandhita Gyatrini Nair. As a second-year Bachelor of Pharmacy student, Nandhita serves to support the council through thick and thin.
Nandhita Gyatrini Nair, Vice President of Taylor’s University Student Council (TUSC) 21/22.
Likewise, Taylor’s College Student Council (TCSC) also plays the same role, but tailored towards the Taylor’s College end of the spectrum. Led by the incumbent President Heng Jui Ching, who had recently just completed her Foundation in Natural and Built Environments course and is just beginning to enter into her architecture major in university, TCSC has been spearheading in student engagement through various fun events and initiatives.
Heng Jui Ching, President of Taylor’s College Student Council (TCSC).
We’d also interviewed Lim Nee, who is the current President of Taylor’s AKPK Club for the 21/22 term. Fittingly, she is also pursuing a Bachelor (Hons) of Accounting and Finance, and the AKPK club has been active in educating Taylorians on various financial topics such as financial literacy, banking, entrepreneurship, and more.
Lim Nee, President of Taylor’s AKPK Club 21/22.
The Rotaract Club of Taylor’s Lakeside Campus (RACTLC) is a community that focuses on community service and operates under the Rotary International organisation. Living by their motto, "Fellowship Through Service", RACTLC thrives on giving back to the community through various adventures while making new friends along the way! It is currently manned by Jonathan Jeremiah as President and assisted by Ashvina Annamitra Sagar, who also studies Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Accounting and Finance.
Last but not least, we have also approached the President of Dia/Them: Taylor’s Inclusivity Project and Taylor’s Connect, Shivakaaminii Ponniah, who is currently pursuing her Bachelor in Psychology degree. As a small introduction, Dia/Them: Taylor’s Inclusivity Project is the renamed club that was once called Taylor’s Girl Up, and it focuses on enhancing inclusivity amongst Taylorians on campus. Meanwhile, Taylor’s Connect prides itself as a peer-support club that seeks to form bonds within the Taylorian community.
What drove you to be in the position that you are now, to be a student leader?
“Joining the student council last year has been one of the best decisions I have made,” wrote Nandhita. “It was a way for me to step out of my comfort zone and meet such amazing people.”
She then expressed that despite her being in her current position, the desire to be in such a position was never a part of her ambitions when she first joined the council. “Despite that, I found myself invested in wanting to do more after experiencing what it's like to be part of this student body. My peers as well as the previous batch of committee members played a huge role in helping me be in the position that I am in today, and for that I am truly grateful to them.”
Ching detailed her reasons behind pursuing the leadership role: “My interest to bring rightful representation to the students, as well as enrich their college life whilst their stay in Taylor’s drove me to become a student leader.”
She swears by the principle that the student council (TCSC, specifically) is not a body belonging to the president, but rather a body that rightfully belongs to the student population of Taylor’s College and that “seeing them (Taylorians) making full use of their college life with smiles on their faces with the help of our group of student leaders brings joy to my heart.”
Echoing Nandhita’s sentiments, Lim Nee stated: “I have a habit of taking initiatives. I enjoy putting myself out there while I still can and I love challenging myself (and) stepping outside of my comfort zone”. She also elaborated on her love of leadership and the sense of achievement she feels when she takes ownership of her responsibilities and duties to serve the people she leads.
Though, she did clarify that she is not the bossy type, rather, “I am enthusiastic when it comes to leading on a project that I am passionate about and by doing so,” before concluding with the fact that leading a club has always been on her own bucket list.
Meanwhile, Ashvina’s motivations to pursue leadership positions in Taylor’s University stemmed from an incentive to “make the most out of my university life, and I knew that joining clubs and societies would be one way to do so”, before adding on that she’s “always had a flair for taking up student leader positions since my school days and as such I was keen to pursue leadership roles to hone my leadership skills in the university.”
“Furthermore, I love being on the planning end of activities and events,” she further stated, which certainly bodes well with the community service-centric club.
“The work I do in Dia/Them and Connect is part of who I am as a person. It stems from my values, belief systems and the way I want to interact with the world around me,” wrote Shivakaaminii. “I hope to be able to empower and create spaces or a community where individuals are celebrated for being their authentic self. That's the world I want to live in. In order for me to do that I know I needed to start a ripple effect in the roles I have in society.”
Describing her motivations to be a student leader, Shivakaaminii expressed that her personal experiences of discrimination and trauma, matched with the drive to turn it into a positive and initiate change is what lead her to where she is standing now. “Even if it benefited one person, it is a sign that I am doing something right in the world - I was doing something! This then grew into shifting beyond my needs by re-centering on the voices and work of individuals facing the most marginalisation and oppression from their intersecting identities. It was the want to take ownership of the power of my voice and learning that the world is a result of change but only if someone is willing to constantly push the boundaries.”
Many students might find it daunting to step up to the plate and try something new outside of their academic life, and maintain it – how do you handle it?
On the topic of their motivations, our interviewees also provided their insight on the way they managed to juggle between two considerably hectic roles in their lives: academics and extracurriculars.
As noted by Nandhita, “in terms of how I handle it, I will be very honest, it is a struggle. Time management is definitely the number one aspect in balancing both these worlds.” She understands the daunting fear a student may potentially have when contemplating on venturing outside of one’s academic life, and placing a potential risk on compromising good academic performance for the sake of it. “But, I think it’s wise to do so because expanding your skill set is what is going to help you the most out in the real world. Of course grades are important, but they are not going to guarantee anything once you’re out of university. Trying something new outside of your academics will help boost your confidence, gain connections, improve your social skills and hone leadership qualities that are equally as, if not more, important than your academic performance.”
“One thing I ask myself when I feel worried or scared to try something new or foreign is, ‘Why not?’” Ching recalled. “It makes me analyse the pros and cons, and consequently step out of that comfort zone; when there’s no red flags for me to NOT try something, I take that as a reason to try it!” She further states that she sees this venture as a win-win situation, by clarifying: “regret is such a short word, but it stretches on forever, so why not minimise it whilst gaining new experiences? No one dictated that experiences must be good ones; bad experiences can just be as impactful to our self-growth!”
She does acknowledge, however, that commitments made outside of academia certainly require discipline, a good deal of compromises, and “a sprinkle of fun and interest”, as she puts it. “To me, it’s an important realisation that one has 24 hours in a day. Subtract 10 hours to eat, sleep, shower, and that’s 14 whole hours daily to achieve your goals and finish tasks. It all stems down to priorities in those 14 hours.” In which, her priorities lie in her academics, followed by TCSC, and uses that as a measure of her capabilities to upkeep both areas. “If at any point the priority of TCSC leaks or eats into my academics, it is a clear sign that I should shift my momentary focus to my academics.”
“Being very clear and level-headed on which comes first, and drawing that boundary is very important for a healthy maintenance,” Ching concluded.
“Seriously, learn how to prioritise!” responded the accounting and finance major, Lim Nee. She places heavy emphasis on setting one’s priorities straight, illustrating that it is the key factor that determines one’s schedules, activities, and to-do lists.
“I usually have a pyramid of priorities in my head that guides me when it comes to making a decision or scheduling my week,” she explained, showing a pyramid chart segmented into three portions, with academics placed at the topmost column, followed by internship in the middle and lastly, extra-curriculars placed at the bottom. “And from time to time, I would also shuffle these priorities based on the urgency of the situation/matter.”
Her last piece of advice for those considering sparing some time apart from their academics to venture out into other opportunities was to utilise all available tools at your disposal to help keep your organisation in check. This included notepads, the reminders app, and Google Calendar.
In similar fashion, Ashvina also wrote: “Time management is key! I strongly believe there’s nothing you cannot do with good time management.”
She went on to mention that setting time aside daily for proper planning can be an incredibly helpful part of time management, further noting that life as a university student is short, so make the most of it and push your limits!”
For Shivakaaminii, her experience as a student leader has been enriching her university experience, yet while she recommends it to everyone, she emphasises that it is important to understand yourself – or, as she puts it, “have an honest conversation with yourself” – about your capabilities and limitations to ensure that one does not burn themself out. Additionally, she recommends having a list of mini personal goals (or check-in’s) to ensure that the individual and the club or organisation they are working with are mutually benefiting both parties.
“It is also really important to have a support system - whether it be your family, friends or even your team members. I feel it's integral to have open communication especially with team members about your expectations and what you can or cannot handle. What has worked for me - is always checking in with my BOD (Board of Directors) members to see how they are doing and if they need any help with anything but most importantly it's building this culture where you take care of your teammates.”
Of course, it is also important to have passion for the cause that you are working towards. As Shivakaaminii puts it, “the best way to balance everything is by doing something you love and are passionate about. I feel that is what will help you push through. The want/need to do better for the greater good.”
Who is a woman (or women) that you look up to – it can be a celebrity, a renowned household name, or even the everyday-lady that is an office worker or your kindergarten teacher – and how does she inspire you?
It ought to be unsurprising that mothers most commonly made their appearances in this query, despite the interviewees acknowledging the corny nature of that answer! “As cliche as it might sound, the woman I look up to the most would have to be my mother. She is the first woman figure that comes to my mind when I think about this question,” Nandhita stated.
“My mother was a teacher, thus, studies were a very important aspect in our lives. Despite that, she has never put pressure on us to do well in our exams. All that she wants is for us to always try our best and that value has been a very significant part of my life up to this day. She is someone who is both a mother and a friend, someone who is nurturing and kind. She is the woman I look up to the most.”
Ching’s response was noticeably different, however, as she shared her admiration towards her superior from Taylor’s Digital Marketing Team, of which she is currently interning at. “She is the Deputy Head of the Team, and is a lady boss. It is amazing how she is able to carry herself to the team and higher-ups of the opposing gender. One thing I am learning from observation is the way she maintains a healthy work-life balance in the team. She is someone who makes people listen, possesses natural authority but is equally as warm and caring; that fine balance is something I find very admirable in her.”
“Urgh! It sounds cringe-y, but [I would say] my mother and her mother (my maternal grandmother),” Lim Nee expressed. She then went ahead to describe her mother as an aggressive person who believes that there are limitless opportunities and no boundaries for women, who is forthright in challenging the stereotypes held on gender roles and authority figures in the workplace. “She also inspires me with the idea of both beauty and brawn, and I honestly believe that it is very important for a woman to be both smart and pretty,” emphasising that women are not only bearers of either aspect, but capable of enhancing both.
Lim Nee’s grandmother, she explained, was a tough, old lady who ignored the conservative gender norms that were imposed back in her days. “She debunked a major financial myth that surrounded women by figuring out how to trade shares in order to send 4 of her kids to pursue their higher education and she even managed to send 2 of her kids to study abroad,” she wrote admirably. As it turns out, society used to believe that women were incapable of finance management. “She basically raised me and my mother into the person we are today!”
Ashvina, similarly, echoes the same response: “My mom, for sure! She’s a woman who wears many hats and I’m always inspired by the way she balances between these roles, and yet, makes time to be there for my sister and I. She’s also my fiercest supporter and constantly encourages me to push myself and achieve what I wish for.”
Nevertheless, she did also bring up the name of another feminine figure, one who is political in nature. “I also look up to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez! The way she perseveres through countless critics for being vocal and expressing her views in public, it’s truly admirable,” she quipped. “It’s also so empowering how she showcases her femininity as a strength rather than a weakness in the political landscape.” Ocasio-Cortez is currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 14th District.
“Advocating for women and fighting against the injustices in the world has been something that women in my family have been doing for generations,” Shivakaaminii introduced. “This may sound cliche, but fighting the good fight is something I feel strongly about and is what I was born into. The women who inspire me the most would be the women in my family, particularly my mother. From a young age I was exposed to them being true girl bosses and never giving up despite the hurdles thrown their way. I think her constant ability to be resilient and persevere through life and societal expectations of being a woman and single parent is what inspires me to keep working and going to be the version of myself.
“Something that has truly resonated with me is a quote my Pati - maternal grandmother always says to us - no matter what you do in life, a girl needs to have an education and with that no one can take anything away from you. That is your power card. The sky's the limit essentially!” concluded Shivakaaminii.
Do you think we have achieved a sort of equilibrium in balancing between gender roles in our campus, where voices across genders are both equally voiced and heard?
Speaking on the current scene of gender equality on our own campus, most of the interviewees expressed satisfaction with the lack of gender-based discrimination that is on our campus. As Nandhita puts it, “In my opinion, we have improved and come a long way in terms of gender equality in our campus. It’s prominent especially through clubs, societies and student bodies where both genders are given equal opportunities to lead and hold high positions.”
Nevertheless, she admits that she sees room for improvement in this area, and intends to emphasise on its awareness to enhance it. “In TUSC, I am truly proud to see that many positions are held equally by both genders. We strive to be a platform for students’ voices regardless of their gender or background, and to do that, TUSC needs to be able to lead by example. Therefore, gender equality is definitely something we are very passionate about.”
“I believe that both genders have to put equally as much effort in building their mindset and developing themselves in having their voices heard,” Ching explained. “After all, in the current generation, many listen to not just the physical voice, but someone’s mind and thoughts,” further boiling it down to the aspects of personal mind and charisma.
Lim Nee enthusiastically stated that the opportunities available on campus for young women are plentiful. “I mean, my Head of School, Head of Department, and Programme Director are all female and I assure you they do quite a good job in managing affairs. Not to mention, Taylor’s AKPK Club has a handful of female student leaders (9 out of 13, slightly unbalanced ngl),” she added. “Thus, I believe that women in our campus have been given many opportunities to express themselves, their stances and their passions. And those that have taken up these opportunities are supported by many other female (and male) acquaintances/subordinates/superiors!”
Ashvina, too, expressed the same opinion: “The number of female leaders in clubs and societies in Taylor’s has risen over the years and I feel that platforms and avenues provided are more inclusive and this helps open doors for young women to lead.”
Meanwhile, Shivakaaminii expressed that the discussion on gender equality on campus is currently traversing on a more heteronormative perspective, whereby the inclusivity of others across the gender spectrum is still currently being worked on. As she puts it, “I personally believe visibility goes a long way in representation and advocacy for gender equality and that’s something I don’t see in Taylor’s. There are still individuals of the gender spectrum who don’t get represented or their needs met within the campus environment, only because this isn’t something that people usually take into consideration.”
“For example, with events, it is always important to have spaces that are consistent and go beyond just a one time act of representation. The gender gap is a systemic and cultural problem. One project is not enough to appropriately cover all bases and conclude that the gender gap doesn’t exist,” illustrated Shivakaaminii, who voiced that the strive for change and improvement continues. “There needs to be active participation and learning by everyone involved to make these necessary changes in order for there to be a balance of gender roles. There is some progress but it is not enough, it’s merely the tip of the iceberg.”
For every Taylorian out there: male, female, or in between: what is something you would like to say to them in conjunction with International Women’s Day, a day to commemorate the achievements of women and celebrate the equal opportunity all people, irregardless of background, colour, and gender, possess in life?
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy International Women’s Day and to all Taylorians, do take this time (and every other day after) to remember all the lovely women figures in your life and make them feel special! This day should be celebrated by everyone regardless of their gender or background.”
Ashvina Annamitra Sagar, Vice President of the Rotaract Club of Taylor’s Lakeside Campus (RACTLC).
Shivakaaminii Ponniah, President of Dia/Them: Taylor’s Inclusivity Project and Taylor’s Connect.
“Joining the student council last year has been one of the best decisions I have made,” wrote Nandhita. “It was a way for me to step out of my comfort zone and meet such amazing people.”
She then expressed that despite her being in her current position, the desire to be in such a position was never a part of her ambitions when she first joined the council. “Despite that, I found myself invested in wanting to do more after experiencing what it's like to be part of this student body. My peers as well as the previous batch of committee members played a huge role in helping me be in the position that I am in today, and for that I am truly grateful to them.”
Ching detailed her reasons behind pursuing the leadership role: “My interest to bring rightful representation to the students, as well as enrich their college life whilst their stay in Taylor’s drove me to become a student leader.”
She swears by the principle that the student council (TCSC, specifically) is not a body belonging to the president, but rather a body that rightfully belongs to the student population of Taylor’s College and that “seeing them (Taylorians) making full use of their college life with smiles on their faces with the help of our group of student leaders brings joy to my heart.”
Echoing Nandhita’s sentiments, Lim Nee stated: “I have a habit of taking initiatives. I enjoy putting myself out there while I still can and I love challenging myself (and) stepping outside of my comfort zone”. She also elaborated on her love of leadership and the sense of achievement she feels when she takes ownership of her responsibilities and duties to serve the people she leads.
Though, she did clarify that she is not the bossy type, rather, “I am enthusiastic when it comes to leading on a project that I am passionate about and by doing so,” before concluding with the fact that leading a club has always been on her own bucket list.
Meanwhile, Ashvina’s motivations to pursue leadership positions in Taylor’s University stemmed from an incentive to “make the most out of my university life, and I knew that joining clubs and societies would be one way to do so”, before adding on that she’s “always had a flair for taking up student leader positions since my school days and as such I was keen to pursue leadership roles to hone my leadership skills in the university.”
“Furthermore, I love being on the planning end of activities and events,” she further stated, which certainly bodes well with the community service-centric club.
“The work I do in Dia/Them and Connect is part of who I am as a person. It stems from my values, belief systems and the way I want to interact with the world around me,” wrote Shivakaaminii. “I hope to be able to empower and create spaces or a community where individuals are celebrated for being their authentic self. That's the world I want to live in. In order for me to do that I know I needed to start a ripple effect in the roles I have in society.”
Describing her motivations to be a student leader, Shivakaaminii expressed that her personal experiences of discrimination and trauma, matched with the drive to turn it into a positive and initiate change is what lead her to where she is standing now. “Even if it benefited one person, it is a sign that I am doing something right in the world - I was doing something! This then grew into shifting beyond my needs by re-centering on the voices and work of individuals facing the most marginalisation and oppression from their intersecting identities. It was the want to take ownership of the power of my voice and learning that the world is a result of change but only if someone is willing to constantly push the boundaries.”
Many students might find it daunting to step up to the plate and try something new outside of their academic life, and maintain it – how do you handle it?
On the topic of their motivations, our interviewees also provided their insight on the way they managed to juggle between two considerably hectic roles in their lives: academics and extracurriculars.
As noted by Nandhita, “in terms of how I handle it, I will be very honest, it is a struggle. Time management is definitely the number one aspect in balancing both these worlds.” She understands the daunting fear a student may potentially have when contemplating on venturing outside of one’s academic life, and placing a potential risk on compromising good academic performance for the sake of it. “But, I think it’s wise to do so because expanding your skill set is what is going to help you the most out in the real world. Of course grades are important, but they are not going to guarantee anything once you’re out of university. Trying something new outside of your academics will help boost your confidence, gain connections, improve your social skills and hone leadership qualities that are equally as, if not more, important than your academic performance.”
“One thing I ask myself when I feel worried or scared to try something new or foreign is, ‘Why not?’” Ching recalled. “It makes me analyse the pros and cons, and consequently step out of that comfort zone; when there’s no red flags for me to NOT try something, I take that as a reason to try it!” She further states that she sees this venture as a win-win situation, by clarifying: “regret is such a short word, but it stretches on forever, so why not minimise it whilst gaining new experiences? No one dictated that experiences must be good ones; bad experiences can just be as impactful to our self-growth!”
She does acknowledge, however, that commitments made outside of academia certainly require discipline, a good deal of compromises, and “a sprinkle of fun and interest”, as she puts it. “To me, it’s an important realisation that one has 24 hours in a day. Subtract 10 hours to eat, sleep, shower, and that’s 14 whole hours daily to achieve your goals and finish tasks. It all stems down to priorities in those 14 hours.” In which, her priorities lie in her academics, followed by TCSC, and uses that as a measure of her capabilities to upkeep both areas. “If at any point the priority of TCSC leaks or eats into my academics, it is a clear sign that I should shift my momentary focus to my academics.”
“Being very clear and level-headed on which comes first, and drawing that boundary is very important for a healthy maintenance,” Ching concluded.
“Seriously, learn how to prioritise!” responded the accounting and finance major, Lim Nee. She places heavy emphasis on setting one’s priorities straight, illustrating that it is the key factor that determines one’s schedules, activities, and to-do lists.
“I usually have a pyramid of priorities in my head that guides me when it comes to making a decision or scheduling my week,” she explained, showing a pyramid chart segmented into three portions, with academics placed at the topmost column, followed by internship in the middle and lastly, extra-curriculars placed at the bottom. “And from time to time, I would also shuffle these priorities based on the urgency of the situation/matter.”
Her last piece of advice for those considering sparing some time apart from their academics to venture out into other opportunities was to utilise all available tools at your disposal to help keep your organisation in check. This included notepads, the reminders app, and Google Calendar.
In similar fashion, Ashvina also wrote: “Time management is key! I strongly believe there’s nothing you cannot do with good time management.”
She went on to mention that setting time aside daily for proper planning can be an incredibly helpful part of time management, further noting that life as a university student is short, so make the most of it and push your limits!”
For Shivakaaminii, her experience as a student leader has been enriching her university experience, yet while she recommends it to everyone, she emphasises that it is important to understand yourself – or, as she puts it, “have an honest conversation with yourself” – about your capabilities and limitations to ensure that one does not burn themself out. Additionally, she recommends having a list of mini personal goals (or check-in’s) to ensure that the individual and the club or organisation they are working with are mutually benefiting both parties.
“It is also really important to have a support system - whether it be your family, friends or even your team members. I feel it's integral to have open communication especially with team members about your expectations and what you can or cannot handle. What has worked for me - is always checking in with my BOD (Board of Directors) members to see how they are doing and if they need any help with anything but most importantly it's building this culture where you take care of your teammates.”
Of course, it is also important to have passion for the cause that you are working towards. As Shivakaaminii puts it, “the best way to balance everything is by doing something you love and are passionate about. I feel that is what will help you push through. The want/need to do better for the greater good.”
Who is a woman (or women) that you look up to – it can be a celebrity, a renowned household name, or even the everyday-lady that is an office worker or your kindergarten teacher – and how does she inspire you?
It ought to be unsurprising that mothers most commonly made their appearances in this query, despite the interviewees acknowledging the corny nature of that answer! “As cliche as it might sound, the woman I look up to the most would have to be my mother. She is the first woman figure that comes to my mind when I think about this question,” Nandhita stated.
“My mother was a teacher, thus, studies were a very important aspect in our lives. Despite that, she has never put pressure on us to do well in our exams. All that she wants is for us to always try our best and that value has been a very significant part of my life up to this day. She is someone who is both a mother and a friend, someone who is nurturing and kind. She is the woman I look up to the most.”
Ching’s response was noticeably different, however, as she shared her admiration towards her superior from Taylor’s Digital Marketing Team, of which she is currently interning at. “She is the Deputy Head of the Team, and is a lady boss. It is amazing how she is able to carry herself to the team and higher-ups of the opposing gender. One thing I am learning from observation is the way she maintains a healthy work-life balance in the team. She is someone who makes people listen, possesses natural authority but is equally as warm and caring; that fine balance is something I find very admirable in her.”
“Urgh! It sounds cringe-y, but [I would say] my mother and her mother (my maternal grandmother),” Lim Nee expressed. She then went ahead to describe her mother as an aggressive person who believes that there are limitless opportunities and no boundaries for women, who is forthright in challenging the stereotypes held on gender roles and authority figures in the workplace. “She also inspires me with the idea of both beauty and brawn, and I honestly believe that it is very important for a woman to be both smart and pretty,” emphasising that women are not only bearers of either aspect, but capable of enhancing both.
Lim Nee’s grandmother, she explained, was a tough, old lady who ignored the conservative gender norms that were imposed back in her days. “She debunked a major financial myth that surrounded women by figuring out how to trade shares in order to send 4 of her kids to pursue their higher education and she even managed to send 2 of her kids to study abroad,” she wrote admirably. As it turns out, society used to believe that women were incapable of finance management. “She basically raised me and my mother into the person we are today!”
Ashvina, similarly, echoes the same response: “My mom, for sure! She’s a woman who wears many hats and I’m always inspired by the way she balances between these roles, and yet, makes time to be there for my sister and I. She’s also my fiercest supporter and constantly encourages me to push myself and achieve what I wish for.”
Nevertheless, she did also bring up the name of another feminine figure, one who is political in nature. “I also look up to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez! The way she perseveres through countless critics for being vocal and expressing her views in public, it’s truly admirable,” she quipped. “It’s also so empowering how she showcases her femininity as a strength rather than a weakness in the political landscape.” Ocasio-Cortez is currently a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 14th District.
“Advocating for women and fighting against the injustices in the world has been something that women in my family have been doing for generations,” Shivakaaminii introduced. “This may sound cliche, but fighting the good fight is something I feel strongly about and is what I was born into. The women who inspire me the most would be the women in my family, particularly my mother. From a young age I was exposed to them being true girl bosses and never giving up despite the hurdles thrown their way. I think her constant ability to be resilient and persevere through life and societal expectations of being a woman and single parent is what inspires me to keep working and going to be the version of myself.
“Something that has truly resonated with me is a quote my Pati - maternal grandmother always says to us - no matter what you do in life, a girl needs to have an education and with that no one can take anything away from you. That is your power card. The sky's the limit essentially!” concluded Shivakaaminii.
Do you think we have achieved a sort of equilibrium in balancing between gender roles in our campus, where voices across genders are both equally voiced and heard?
Speaking on the current scene of gender equality on our own campus, most of the interviewees expressed satisfaction with the lack of gender-based discrimination that is on our campus. As Nandhita puts it, “In my opinion, we have improved and come a long way in terms of gender equality in our campus. It’s prominent especially through clubs, societies and student bodies where both genders are given equal opportunities to lead and hold high positions.”
Nevertheless, she admits that she sees room for improvement in this area, and intends to emphasise on its awareness to enhance it. “In TUSC, I am truly proud to see that many positions are held equally by both genders. We strive to be a platform for students’ voices regardless of their gender or background, and to do that, TUSC needs to be able to lead by example. Therefore, gender equality is definitely something we are very passionate about.”
“I believe that both genders have to put equally as much effort in building their mindset and developing themselves in having their voices heard,” Ching explained. “After all, in the current generation, many listen to not just the physical voice, but someone’s mind and thoughts,” further boiling it down to the aspects of personal mind and charisma.
Lim Nee enthusiastically stated that the opportunities available on campus for young women are plentiful. “I mean, my Head of School, Head of Department, and Programme Director are all female and I assure you they do quite a good job in managing affairs. Not to mention, Taylor’s AKPK Club has a handful of female student leaders (9 out of 13, slightly unbalanced ngl),” she added. “Thus, I believe that women in our campus have been given many opportunities to express themselves, their stances and their passions. And those that have taken up these opportunities are supported by many other female (and male) acquaintances/subordinates/superiors!”
Ashvina, too, expressed the same opinion: “The number of female leaders in clubs and societies in Taylor’s has risen over the years and I feel that platforms and avenues provided are more inclusive and this helps open doors for young women to lead.”
Meanwhile, Shivakaaminii expressed that the discussion on gender equality on campus is currently traversing on a more heteronormative perspective, whereby the inclusivity of others across the gender spectrum is still currently being worked on. As she puts it, “I personally believe visibility goes a long way in representation and advocacy for gender equality and that’s something I don’t see in Taylor’s. There are still individuals of the gender spectrum who don’t get represented or their needs met within the campus environment, only because this isn’t something that people usually take into consideration.”
“For example, with events, it is always important to have spaces that are consistent and go beyond just a one time act of representation. The gender gap is a systemic and cultural problem. One project is not enough to appropriately cover all bases and conclude that the gender gap doesn’t exist,” illustrated Shivakaaminii, who voiced that the strive for change and improvement continues. “There needs to be active participation and learning by everyone involved to make these necessary changes in order for there to be a balance of gender roles. There is some progress but it is not enough, it’s merely the tip of the iceberg.”
For every Taylorian out there: male, female, or in between: what is something you would like to say to them in conjunction with International Women’s Day, a day to commemorate the achievements of women and celebrate the equal opportunity all people, irregardless of background, colour, and gender, possess in life?
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy International Women’s Day and to all Taylorians, do take this time (and every other day after) to remember all the lovely women figures in your life and make them feel special! This day should be celebrated by everyone regardless of their gender or background.”
Nandhita Gyatrini Nair,
Vice President of Taylor’s University Student Council 21/22
“The “Y” chromosome, which differs a male from a female, stands for Unity. Let’s continue being united.”
Heng Jui Ching,
President of Taylor’s College Student Council
“A well-behaved woman rarely makes history and there is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish!”
Lim Nee,
President of Taylor’s AKPK Club
“All women should be celebrated, not only on International Women’s Day but also every day as they play a key role in building society. To all women, be fearless and don’t let anyone or anything stand in your way of achieving your dreams!”
Ashvina Annamitra Sagar,
Vice President of the Rotaract Club of Taylor’s Lakeside Campus
“It would be for everyone to reflect on the privileges you have and the privilege you don't have. To extend these conversations and reflections to your family and friends. The reality is in order to break the systems of oppression within our societies, it is important to evaluate how we may be contributing to it and to think of ways we can prevent these injustices.
It is important to know that no one is truly liberated if one individual has to suffer the consequence of oppression and marginalisation. This IWD, let's check our privilege. We are not allowing for the oppression of others and with our collective voices we can be agents of change and create the world we want to live in!
Let's celebrate IWD by being liberated!”
Shivakaaminii Ponniah
President of Dia/Them: Taylor’s Inclusivity Project and Taylor’s Connect
As Etc. Magazine itself works to amplify the magnitude of Taylorian voices from our own campus, I hope that this article brings a certain measure of insight into the perspectives and stories our very own female voices hold as we navigate through the world of tertiary education and, later on, the working world. As I’d previously remarked, while International Women’s Day is a day that seeks to conjure up many lamentations on the prevailing unjustifiable cruelties held against individuals of certain genders, which, understandably, is very much still an issue in certain places, I am able to find myself at ease to see that the extracurricular scene on Taylor’s Lakeside Campus falls on the contrary, and is instead a place where young Malaysians (and internationals!) are able to see past the boundaries of gender and instead place emphasis on the building of character and voice, no matter the gender, colour, background, and origin of the student, and improve constantly.
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