February 16, 2009 22:21 PM

ACWW World President Receives 'Tokoh Wanita' Award

KUCHING, Feb 16 (Bernama) -- The Associated County Women of the World (ACWW) world president, Datuk Ursula Thomas Dunpangol, today received the "Tokoh Wanita Sarawak 2008" award at a ceremony here.

Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri William Mawan presented a special medal and certificate of appreciation to the two-term ACWW president.

Two other recipients of the Tokoh Wanita Sarawak 2008 are the Chief Minister's wife Datuk Amar Laila Taib and former Assistant Minister of Welfare and Women Affairs Datuk Sharifah Mordiah Tuanku Fauzi.

Ursula, 71, a housewife, joined the Miri-based Sarawak Women Organisation in 1965 and has been active in women advocacy ever since.

She has held the post of ACWW area president for the Asean and far east region, the Sarawak family planning association chairman, Miri High Court assessor as well as the Miri marriage tribunal member, among others.

"I feel blessed as ever since I got involved in voluntary and welfare activities, my family members gave me their strong support, especially my late husband John Goh," she said.

Ursula, who is to relinquish her post as the ACWW world president in 2010, said she would continue with the struggle for the betterment of women at the state and international levels.

"Several countries such as China and South Korea have expressed interests to appointment me as coordinator for women activities.

"However, I will only accept the offer if it only requires me to be abroad for a maximum of six months because Miri is still my home sweet home," she said.

-- BERNAMA

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