Last month, New Zealand’s Supreme Court declared that the country’s current voting age of 18 is “unjustified discrimination”, boosting support for an ongoing movement in the country to lower it to 16. In October, two young activists — 21-year-old Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, 20 — threw tomato soup on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at London’s National Gallery and glued their hands to the wall. They were protesting the continued production of fossil fuels.
Youths in other parts of the world committed similar acts. As the world hurtles towards the precipice of no return with climate change, more and more around the globe are taking action. In one of our three cover stories, we speak with three young women of influence about the world they hope to build and their hopes for the future.
Adeline Teo, 23, watch trader and content curator
I had strict parents growing up. It was only after I turned 18 that they started to relax a little. My mum even accompanied my friends and me on my first-ever trip to a club — the now-defunct Bang Bang — on my 18th birthday. As I look back, I am grateful for their restrictions.
I’ve seen many people my age go astray because they didn’t know any better. My late grandmother raised me because my parents were always away working. Each day, she took me to and picked me up from school before we ate lunch. I’d like to think I learned to be patient from her because I never saw my grandmother get angry or raise her voice. I was incredibly upset when she passed away. However, I kept my calm on the outside since I had to speak at the funeral.
Photo: Joel Low.
In the same way my grandmother impacted me, I hope to make a positive impact on society. Every year, on my birthday, I buy 200 packets of chicken rice from Sukarnih Chicken Rice at Margaret Drive for the residents of Christalite Methodist Home. It always gives me joy.
In the coming year, I hope to expand my charitable contributions and support foster children in a similar way. I am not a fan of publicising such contributions; I believe those who usually do so have selfish motives. However, I’m sharing my story now because I want to encourage people to give as much as possible — even if it’s a small amount.
There is no doubt in my mind that I am blessed. However, some people use this to invalidate my complaints or grouses. Friends have told me their problems are worse than mine because of my privileged position. It used to affect me. It seemed unfair that they judged me for something I could not control. Now, I’m much more even-keeled about it. Negative people don’t bother me; I tell myself, why get agitated about things I cannot control?
That’s why I believe the world needs more compassionate, sincere people. There is so much hate now, and that makes change difficult. We can only work towards a better world together when everyone is nicer to each other.
Vanessa Ng, 27, in-house legal counsel for EZ-Link
My parents were typical tiger parents. I had ballet classes and piano lessons, along with the usual extracurricular activities that every overachieving Asian child had to attend. Throughout my childhood, my mother drilled into me the importance and benefits of a professional career. It explains my university major: law.
Photo: Joel Low.
Honestly, I was never one of the cool kids. In my first year of secondary school, I vividly remember one particular incident. I was part of a group of five students working on a papier-mâché project for art class. They seemingly took offence at a passing comment I made, and on the day of submission, they handed in the project without my name. I was devastated. From numerous similar encounters, I have learned that letting negativity consume you will bleed into every nook and cranny of your life until you realise that kindness is your choice and awareness frees you.
It doesn’t take much to brighten someone’s day. I often buy breakfast for my colleagues; it’s usually something small and inexpensive like bread. Often, people take their financial situation into consideration before giving. However, being kind doesn’t mean just contributing to charitable causes. Something as simple as a compliment or caring gesture is enough to make a difference.
My manager is a great example. He is remarkably thoughtful towards his employees, and it is his modest yet consistent gestures that speak the loudest. He takes genuine interest in our well-being, which encompasses our lives outside of work. For instance, he considers the importance of segregating work from rest while offering his full support.
I have been asked why I give so much, but my goal is to be as generous as possible so others will feel inspired to do the same. I treat everyone the best I can and give without overthinking it. In 2020, the lockdown sparked an awakening in me. I realised it is easier to let go of people who are incompatible with you than to try to fit in with them. When it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. In the meantime, it is crucial to remain true to yourself.
Financial expert Bill Lazar once said that the best relationships are those in which every individual believes they benefit the most from the relationship. His reasoning: “The reason both people can answer that way is because both are putting into the relationship, not for what they’re going to get from it, but for what they can give to it. Because both people do that, both people would feel that they are the ones who are the ultimate beneficiary because of how much the other person gives.” That is how we can change the world, in my opinion. When everyone gives as much as they can and believes they are benefitting from giving, then we can solve a chunk of today’s problems. Everyone, from the young to the old, has to play their part.
Katerina Lai, 27, digital wealth strategist, OCBC Bank
Growing up, I moved around a lot. I have lived in Kuala Lumpur and Taiwan, and went to boarding school in England for two years in my teens. My exposure to international cultures shaped me greatly. I met so many people from different cultures and upbringing.
Photo: Joel Low.
As a result, I became more aware of my privilege. Having a complete, happy family was already a blessing, let alone studying at different international schools. Although I am aware that I live in a bubble, I don’t want to punish myself for it.
In addition, I realised people knew me because of my family connections when I started working in the bank. I take that in my stride; I cannot control what other people think or say, so I just focus on the things I can control.
Currently, I am focused on building my career and pushing out my best performance. I want to make my own name and not ride on the coattails of anyone’s success.
Similarly, my passion for women’s rights is increasing. Recently, it has been at the forefront of my life, and I’ve realised how patriarchal society is. To help this cause, I am exploring what I can do to change it. It is not my intention to bring men down, but rather to elevate women to equal footing in social and corporate spheres.
The root of such inequality seems to be selfishness. There is a lot of competition to get yours. People don’t care about others once they have it.
According to reports, climate change is a result of the older generation’s selfish actions, extracting as much from the planet as possible to enrich themselves The precarious situation we are in is not entirely their fault. They didn’t have the information we have. In addition, who is to say we wouldn’t have done the same if we had been in their shoes?
As far as climate change is concerned, I am focusing on the present and doing what I can to slow its effects. My actions might be small, but cumulatively, they can make a pronounced difference. Instead of complaining about what others have done, let’s talk about what we can do together. Now is the time to be selfless. We can change the world that way.
Photography: Joel Low
Videography: Marcus Lin
Styling: Chia Wei Choong
Hair: Aung Apichai from Artistry Studio, using Kevin Murphy
Makeup: Wee Ming, using Chanel Beauty
Photography Assistant: Eddie Teo
Styling Assistant: Nicholas See
