“Motherhood – A choice they make every day. A commitment that they truly believe is important.  A devotion they stick through.” –  Ms Claire Chiang, Chairperson, Panel of Judges, 25^th Exemplary Mother’s Award.

The 25^th Exemplary Mother Award was held at the Fairmont Ballroom, Swissotel The Stamford on 30^th September 2017, in the presence of the Guest-of- Honour Mdm Halimah Yacob, President of Singapore. To commemorate the beginning of a new cycle of the third Presidential Shield, an exceptional performance was showcased by the three Cultural Medallion Awardees, Ms Joanna Wong, Mdm Som Said, and Ms Santha Bhaskar. ‘You are everything, Mom’ is a performance that was an integrated cultural item specially choreographed for this special event, intertwining the different cultures together at various phases of life.

The title of the 25^th Exemplary Mother Award belongs to Mdm Nooria Bte Abdul Hameed, a mother of two. Nominated by her younger daughter, Maharah, Mdm Nooria is a sole breadwinner of her family after her husband developed nasopharyngeal cancer in 1994. Started by doing odd jobs, things shaped up when Mdm Nooria joined a real estate firm. She entered the industry as a secretary and made her way up to become a real estate agent.

“Being a mother means you have to be there for the children. They have just been born, they will see the world, and they need a mother to start with; to teach them, advise them and be a friend.”

Mdm Nooria didn’t stop there. In 2010, Mdm Nooria and Maharah initiated a “Food Project” for three cancer stricken families, donating $30 monthly to each. Friends and families came aboard and today, the scheme is administered by Ain Society and helps over 300 families. In addition, the duo also holds a mass birthday party annually for cancer stricken children from low income families.