When I started writing
today, it was still March 8, International Women’s day, but as I proceeded in
writing, it was quickly approaching March 9, which is the birthday of my early career
role model and mentor, Dr. Puey Ungpakorn, my former big boss and Rector of
University where I taught. Since
somehow my first impression of International Women’s Day and Dr. Puey’s impact
on my career and value are interrelated, I will write on both.
International Women’s Day
I should mention first that
the woman who influenced who I am today as an independent and self-supporting
woman was my Mother; she was a single mom born in a Chinese family in Thailand,
where women are not valued as much as men.
There is a saying from
mothers in Thailand that they can’t wait for their sons to become a Buddhist
monk even for a short period, because they will be able to hold on to the helms
of their yellow garments when the sons earn the merits to go to heaven. Since women cannot become a monk, which
is a noble tradition for young men, they will rely on their son in representing
them. Males in Thailand show their
gratitude towards their mothers by entering into the monkhood for a short
period of time. This is just an
example of the value placed on males above females.
My Mother being born in a
Chinese family who was in leather and shoes making business was discouraged
from going to school. She cried
and begged her father to let her go to school. Finally, her father relented, but the school officials said
she had to bring her own table and chair to school, so she did.
When we were kids, my Mother
often told us that she did not have any inheritance to give us when we grow up
or when she passed, but she would try to make sure we had needed education She would teach us herself when
my sister and brother was in elementary school, and worked in many teaching
jobs to earn more money for us four children to have education. This emphasis on education has been
instilled in my value system, and has made me a person who always continues to seek knowledge. To me, education is the key that can
break the cycle of poverty. It is
a way for women to be able to be self-reliance and be in a better position to
break the glass ceiling in their career, or if men oppressed her she would be
able to stand on her own two feet.
As I have benefited from
education, so have I encouraged and participated in scholarship committees both
in the university I used to teach and my current professional organizations. I can identify with Malala Yousafzai when
she and her friends had to stand against the Taliban to be able to attend
school. I love her saying: “I
speak not for myself but for those without voice...who have fought for their rights...their
right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to
equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.”
Influence of Economic
Development Champion-Dr. Puey Ungpakorn
The first time I heard about
International Women’s Day was when I was on a study trip to Yugoslavia during
my six months Post Graduate fellowship in the Netherlands in 1977. I was able to earn this scholarship
upon the recommendation by Dr. Puey Ungpakorn, Rector of Thammasat University
where I taught before coming to the US.
Thammasat University Beside River of the Kings, and Economic Faculty on Left of the Dome
As the Rector of Thammasat
University, he contacted with foreign countries to get scholarships and
fellowship for new lecturers like myself.
His connections included the Ford Foundation, Kennedy School of
Government, and etc. Lecturer
males and females were given opportunity to go overseas to further their
studies. Being a champion of
Economic Development and education, Dr. Puey had a great impact on the well
being of status of women in Thailand like me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for
mentoring many of us who are women, and for having a very positive influence
for me. In memoriam to you, Dr. Puey on this day March 9, I am very grateful…
His work in economic
development and his program for graduate students to go to the countryside and
remote areas to work with local community, and engaged them in improving their
economic conditions were excellent.
They were the reasons for him being nominated and winning the Ramon
Magsaisai Award.
As the Rector of Thammasat
University, he contacted with foreign countries to get scholarships and
fellowship for new lecturers like myself.
His connections included the Ford Foundation, Kennedy School of
Government, and etc. Lecturer
males and females were given opportunity to go overseas to further their
studies. Being a champion of
Economic Development and education, Dr. Puey had a great impact on the well
being of status of women in Thailand like me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for
mentoring many of us who are women, and for having a very positive influence
for me. In memoriam to you, Dr. Puey on this day March 9, I am very grateful…
Please feel free to comment. Thank you very much!
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