Twenty Years On And THIS IS ME Jul 29, 2005 | By AWARE THIS IS ME invites women from all walks of life to love themselves, saying THIS IS ME to reaffirm their self-acceptance. Casting aside archaic notions of women as Barbie dolls, or second-class citizens, THIS IS ME encourages women to be first class citizens, to embrace new and healthier role models of success and beauty. As a part of Singapore’s 40th National Day, we are also celebrating women’s fabulous and oft forgotten contribution to the building of modern Singapore. Braema Mathi, President of AWARE, says: “THIS IS ME allows every woman to appreciate herself for what she is and what she hopes to become. Often women still beat themselves up for what they think they are not and are constantly on the lookout to others for reassurance and reaffirmation. THIS IS ME is an opportunity for women from all diverse backgrounds to embrace their place in this world and walk closer to taking charge of their well-being. AWARE is thankful to dear Pat Chan for encapsulating all that women want and can be with this simple yet powerful understanding of self. We hope this campaign will become a mantra for all women especially at their moment of self-doubt and THIS IS ME is the prop to get to the next step.” AWARE is honoured to have swimming legend Patricia Chan as the spokesperson for THIS IS ME. The Olympian won a staggering 39 SEAP & SEA Games Gold medals during her sporting career from 1965 to 1973 and, as the most bemedalled athlete in Singapore's sporting history, holds a special place in the Singapore Sports Museum's Hall of Fame. Pat is Singapore's original Golden Girl, and her grit and determination to achieve her goals make her an ideal role model for Singapore women. Pat Chan says: "THIS IS ME is a validation of self. It's about being comfortable with who you are and recognizing your potential to be all that you can be. It is about knowing that you are an essential part of a whole that, when united, can be a powerful force to move and change things for the better of all. It is about helping to galvanize your community into self recognition, self realization and self-actualisation. THIS IS ME has no colour code, no age barriers, no gender inequities. It is about being true to yourself. THIS IS ME is about YOU and everything you CAN be." THIS IS ME kicks off on Saturday, August 27th at The Heeren Shops, a shopping and lifestyle mainstay of the young, and young at heart. The two-day event will spice up the weekend with exciting events including: THIS IS ME Fashion Show No coat hangers here, but real models who are real women THIS IS ME Stage Performances Artiste like Wendy Koh take to the stage in a spirit of women’s empowerment. Who Wants to Be AWARE Race An Amazing Race-inspired interactive game where contestants speed through The Heeren while answering questions about the issues facing women. $1000 shopping vouchers to be won, sponsored by The Heeren Shops, the Official Venue Sponsor. THIS IS ME Photo Montage ­ Exploring expressions of beauty, confidence and self-esteem through photography. The Photo Montage is a year-long campaign that AWARE hopes will really capture the imagination and self-expression of women in Singapore. This campaign invites women to send in photographs of themselves at their most comfortable, a photograph that says something about who they are. It could be absolutely anything, a shot of them dancing, working, wearing their favourite outfit or playing their favourite sport, it can be any photo that captures their personality. Photographs will all be exhibited on 27 and 28 August at The Heeren. Women who would like to be part of this exhibition can email their photographs to aware@pacific.net.sg. Or post to Aware at Blk 5 Dover Crescent #01-22 S130005. Each photograph must be accompanied by a simple line – “This Is Me – I am………………”