Posted by Dawood Capital Management Ltd. (DCM), managers of LADIESFUND™ and sponsors of the 2nd LADIESFUND™ Women’s Entrepreneurship Awards 2010, hosted the ceremony on March 12th, 2010 at Mohatta Palace Museum, Karachi, Pakistan, during International Women’s Week.
The grand Mohatta Palace Museum provided a backdrop for this important event and was selected not only for its beauty but because it was the home of Mohtharma Fatima Jinnah, Khatoon-e-Pakistan (Lady of Pakistan) and sister of the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan. These Awards were created in the spirit of her legacy.
Ms. Tara Uzra Dawood, CEO of DCM, founded these awards with a deep commitment to the development of women in Pakistan and was encouraged by the hundreds of nominations that were received from across the country and the support of many volunteers and well-wishers.
The Chief Guests for the event were Ms. Nasreen Jalil, former Senator, and Ms. Khushbakht Shujat, Minister of the National Assembly. Both these eminent women spoke about the importance of such platforms and expressed their continuing support and promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit of Pakistani women. They also spoke about the growing influence and role of Pakistani women in the social and professional sectors, and the need to prioritize their financial security by investing in themselves, which is the vision behind DCM’s LADIESFUND™ Savings Plans and investment advisory services for women.
In her address, Khushbakht Shujat said, “ Recognition of women achievement is an important step in opening up opportunities for women and rebranding Pakistan on the global front. The 2nd LADIESFUND Women’s Entrepreneurship Awards has played and continues to serve a very important role in this. By celebrating women in this manner, during International Women’s Week, Dawood Capital Management Ltd. is providing a platform for women to network, connect and appreciate one another. It is my honour to be a Chief Guest at this event and I congratulate all involved. I support and look forward to the strengthening of this initiative and the many ways it can continue to grow and have meaning to Pakistan, particularly the women of our nation.”
Nasreen Jalil commented, ” It is wonderful to see Pakistani Women being recognized. I applaud Dawood Capital Management Ltd. and its CEO Tara Uzra Dawood’s initiative in creating the LADIESFUND™ Women’s Entrepreneurship Awards. It is my privilege to be a Chief Guest at this event for the second time. The overwhelming response received the first time was heartening and I was happy to see women from all different walks of life and with different interests come together through this platform. I congratulate the organizers, judges and winners, as well as the guests for it is their presence and participation that is the greatest achievement of these Awards. Together, Pakistan women can achieve anything. ”
CEO DAWOOD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT Tara Uzra Dawood, in her opening address remarked, “ It is my dream that every woman and child in Pakistan have financial security. That is why we launched pro bono BABYFUND® children’s trust funds and LADIESFUND™ trust funds and investment advisory services for woman. When the late Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, a lot of people around the world and in Pakistan seemed to think she was the only extraordinary woman in Pakistan so the concept of the LADIESFUND™ Women’s Entrepreneurship Awards came to life with the dream of celebrating, acknowledging and encouraging women to do extraordinary things and continue the legacy of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto which was in itself a continuation of the legacy of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. It is very important to celebrate success because it touches the lives of a broad spectrum of those who need inspiration. ”
The judges’ panel for the awards included Barrister Shahida Jamil, Frieha Altaf, CEO of Catwalk, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director of Oxford University Press, Rehana Saigol, fashion designer and jeweler and Sameera Raja, CEO and owner of Canvas Art Gallery and former winner of LADIESFUND™ Women’s Entrepreneurship Award.
The Award ceremony attracted eminent women from different backgrounds, professions and ages and successfully served as a platform for their interaction and fellowship.
The award ceremony started with a Red Carpet reception, followed by the brief award ceremony and then High Tea. Begum Sughra Kazmi, a pioneer of fashion design and haute couture in Pakistan, was honored with the LADIESFUND™ Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners for the awards were in their respective categories were:
LADIESFUND™ Woman of the Year 2010: Dr. Ruth Pfau
A symbol of dedication, Dr. Ruth Pfau, a German lady, has been awarded for her inspiring 50 years of dispelling myths attached to people suffering from the dreadful ailment of leprosy. She has shown love, compassion and dedication to a cause very few have empathy towards and has shown tremendous courage in tackling the challenges along the way and has been blessed with success. She loves Pakistan and says, “a Leprosy victim has one single life – a life just like mine and yours”.
She is Pakistan’s Mother Teresa. She is Dr. Ruth Pfau.
LADIESFUND™ Lifetime Achievement Award: Begum Sughra Kazmi
Awarded for almost forty years of inspiration to designers and women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, Begun Sughra Kazmi began with a handful of tailors in a small backroom. Today, she has successfully expanded her couture business to a point where her name is synonymous with impeccable style and the peerless beauty of traditional workmanship. Begum Kazmi’s life and work inspires us because it reflects the inevitable success that comes, and most importantly, lasts, when creativity is combined with sheer hard work, the courage to take risks, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
LADIESFUND™ Trailblazer 2010: Khadija Malik & Kiran Aman
Khadija Malik and Kiran Aman are awarded for their trailblazing initiative in establishing in 2007 the publishing house Stillwaters, a publishing house that produces world class books including REVIVED: The Journey Within, SKIN and RAW LIFE. They have also established a production house, which launched MADE IN PAKISTAN, a nationwide documentary, and ”Stillwaters Peepal,” which aims at empowering young people by conducting motivational workshops.
LADIESFUND™ Trailblazer 2010: Lal Majid & Madiha Sultan
Lal Majid and Madiha Sultan have been awarded for their trailblazing initiative in launching three years ago Pakistan’s first chocolate brand, LALS. Combining chocolate and flowers symbolizes their philosophy of celebration. They have expanded to three outlets, with plans to expand their network of chocolate boutiques to other cities in Pakistan in line with a determination to lead a renaissance in confections in Pakistan.
LADIESFUND™ Momentum Award 2010: Nilofer Saeed
Awarded for her successful introduction of the cafe culture to Pakistan with Copper Kettle and the expansion of her vision to retail baked goods with Hobnob Bakery, which in 10 years has expanded to 12 branches citywide. Nilofer Saeed has also worked on numerous committees and is an active member, worker and founder of the supporter group of The Citizens Foundation, of which she is the only woman to serve on the Board of Directors.
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