Kota Kinabalu: Stories of struggle, reinvention and resilience took centre stage during a women’s sharing session here, where speakers reflected on personal journeys shaped by motherhood, leadership, public service and cultural identity.
Organised in conjunction with the recent Mother’s Day celebration, the one day sharing session brought together women from different professional and personal backgrounds to discuss the realities behind success, including sacrifice, self-discovery and perseverance through difficult periods in life.
Datuk Adeline Leong said life’s challenges should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
She said every struggle carries lessons that strengthen character, resilience and confidence over time.
“Life is always a struggle… but every challenge we overcome makes us stronger, wiser and more resilient.”
Using the metaphor of a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, Adeline said growth often comes through discomfort and endurance, adding that personal transformation requires patience and perseverance.
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She encouraged younger professionals to seek guidance from mentors and remain open to opportunities even when they appear intimidating or unfamiliar.
Adeline also reflected on moments in her public service career where she had to adapt quickly to unfamiliar responsibilities and environments.
Her career in public service saw her become the first woman Director of the Sabah State Library, as well as the first female president of both the Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council and Sandakan Municipal Council.
She was also active in Junior Chamber International (JCI) for 17 years and held leadership positions at the local, national and international levels, including serving as JCI Executive Vice-President in 1987.
Today, she remains active in community and women’s empowerment initiatives through the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Professional Association (Swepa) and the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl.
She said many of the challenges she faced eventually became defining moments that shaped her confidence and leadership approach.
Permai Polyclicnic Group co-founder Datin Dr Rachel Kumar shared a deeply personal account of balancing motherhood, career transitions and personal struggles over the years.
She described growing up in a modest household where education was strongly emphasised despite limited resources.
Rachel recalled long walks to school during childhood and said discipline and sacrifice shaped much of her early life.
“Behind every strong woman is a story people do not see.. full of struggle, silence and perseverance,” she said.
At the age of 19, she received a Yayasan Sabah scholarship to pursue dentistry in Penang, marking her first experience living away from family.
She later served in government hospitals before venturing into business, eventually exploring floristry and beauty therapy alongside her medical background.
Rachel said entrepreneurship taught her adaptability and independence, particularly during periods of uncertainty and personal hardship.
She also spoke openly about the emotional burden many mothers quietly carry while continuing to support their families.
“As mothers, even when we feel broken inside, we continue standing because our children are watching us.”
Rachel said women often underestimate their own strength because much of their resilience develops quietly through everyday responsibilities and sacrifices.
In addition to her professional work, she has also been involved in community and charitable initiatives, including welfare efforts involving elderly care and women’s organisations.
She said meaningful leadership is ultimately rooted in compassion, sincerity and service to others.
Chanteek Borneo founder Anne Antah shared how her personal struggle with identity eventually evolved into a cultural and social entrepreneurship journey.
A Computer Science graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Anne said she grew up navigating questions surrounding identity as a Sino-Kadazan raised within a strict household environment.
She said those experiences left her constantly questioning where she truly belonged culturally and socially.
That search for identity later inspired the creation of Chanteek Borneo, which began as a cultural doll project showcasing Sabah’s ethnic diversity through miniature traditional costumes.
The initiative later expanded into textile design and cultural storytelling aimed at preserving and modernising Sabahan heritage.
Anne said the project eventually earned recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records through its miniature ethnic costume exhibition.
She explained that her work focuses not only on preserving heritage, but also on ensuring younger generations continue recognising and appreciating Sabah’s cultural identity.
Anne also highlighted the “Mama Jarum” initiative, a home-based sewing network supporting women from lower-income households.
The initiative provides flexible income opportunities for mothers and homemakers who are unable to participate in formal employment due to childcare and household responsibilities.
She said many participants gradually gained confidence and financial independence through the programme, with some able to contribute consistently to household expenses and their children’s education.
“True impact is about dignity, independence and giving women a financial voice,” she said.
Anne said the initiative has also evolved into a wider support ecosystem involving home-based seamstresses and artisans across Sabah.
She further introduced the Kubaya Sabah concept, which reimagines traditional attire into modern everyday wear inspired by Sabah’s multicultural heritage.
The idea, she said, was developed to create a recognisable Sabahan identity that could be worn proudly in both professional and casual settings, saying “We need a Sabahan identity we can wear proudly every day.”
The session collectively highlighted how women’s journeys are often shaped by unseen struggles, adaptation and resilience across different stages of life.
Despite their different backgrounds and experiences, the speakers shared a common message that strength is often built quietly through hardship, while legacy is ultimately defined by contribution and impact on others.
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