AWA Magazine
Celebrate stories. Create community.
April-May 2025 issue
Editor's Note
Welcome to the April–May issue of the AWA Magazine. In this edition, we’re celebrating women in and around Singapore—past and present!
Working on the AWA Magazine, I’m always amazed by what I don’t know and what I get to learn from our contributing authors. This month, Stephanie Kolentsis, in her Singapore Living column, shines a spotlight on the Samsui Women. These resilient pioneers helped shape the foundation of modern Singapore, and Stephanie shows us exactly where you can find traces of their legacy in and around the city.
While you’re out and about, don’t forget to look up—literally. Jessica Kudlacek explores women’s representation in Singapore’s vibrant street art scene. One piece even honors the Samsui Women! I’ve passed some of these murals many times, always admiring their color and grandeur, but now, knowing the stories behind them, I’ll see them with fresh eyes.
And speaking of women and creative legacies, did you know that one of the most celebrated female architects of our time, Zaha Hadid, left her mark on Singapore? The D’Leedon, a striking condominium complex in District 10, was her design. Head over to Andrea Lee’s column Wild and Human for a closer look at Hadid’s inspiring journey and her bold architectural vision.
As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s only fitting that we honor the communities of women who support one another. Andrea McKenna Brankin shares her own experience of leaning into a circle of “Rugby SuperMoms” who lift her up in life’s messy, beautiful chaos. Expat life comes with its share of highs and lows, and it truly does take a village—a village of women—for us to thrive.
Paige Okun, our resident Writers’ Block voice for this issue, reflects on food as her love language. She describes herself as a feeder—someone who expresses love through shared meals and full tables. Her words are a gentle reminder that mothering can come in many forms, whether through parenting, friendship, or nurturing community.
Finally, in this issue’s Member Spotlight, Mandakini Arora interviews Suzanne Scott Tomita about her debut novel Until Even The Angels. A long-time AWA member, Suzanne brings Singapore to life through her fictional narrative, woven with threads of historical truth—including the lesser-known but powerful story of the Maria Hertogh riots.
Whether you identify as a mother, daughter, sister, or friend, this issue serves as a heartfelt tribute to the women who have paved the way for us, stand alongside us, and inspire our future.
Warmly,
Cynthia Muthyala (Assistant Editor) & Suellen Lee (Editor)
Meet Our Team
The AWA Magazine is composed of a group of volunteer women who love to share stories, adventures and all things related to living in Singapore and Southeast Asia, while having fun along the way.
Click on the pictures to learn a bit more about us!
“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”
Jimmy Neil Smith
International Storytelling Center
Calling Storytellers!
The AWA Magazine Team is a Special Interest group that strives to be a creative platform for AWA members to nurture and express their craft as storytellers, empower them to share their authentic voices as women who happen to live (or have lived) in Singapore, and forge meaningful connections along the way.
If this sounds a little or a lot like you, we invite you to get in touch with us at editor@awasingapore.org. We'd love to meet up over a cup of coffee (or a Zoom call) and discuss your interest in being part of the magazine team!
