In Praise of Four Fabulous Females

Since the early 1900s, International Women's Day has been observed around the world. Indeed, the "little woman" of the Twentieth Century has changed. She no longer believes her place is in the kitchen, the bedroom, or any other room of the house. She is an equal in the workplace and amazingly seems to manage children, partners, housework, cooking and holding down an important position with unflappable ease. In honor of International Women's Day, City Weekend highlights the achievements of four outstanding expat women in Shanghai who embody the essence of the modern-day woman, and who represent an inspiration for all sisters around the world.

Gemma Stuart Young

Automotive Industry Entrepreneur

The Facts: 30-year-old British; has lived in Shanghai for three years.

The Project: Cars get Stuart Young's motor revving. She was brought here by MG Rover from the UK to set up an automotive sourcing company–not a small task for a woman working in a male-dominated industry. As the first expat in the company to enter China, Stuart Young effectively "led the way" for the rest. With this experience under her belt, she is now opening her own business.

Women in the Workplace: Young believes there are issues working against women in the workplace. The way salary packages and benefits are structured, long term career prospects and support for working women are still not fully equal or adequate in all workplaces.

Where to Find Her: After work she likes to have a few drinks, go for a massage, play golf, play with her crazy dog, spend time with her hubby, watch DVDs and walk around Shanghai taking photos.

Angie Eagan

Founder of The Mongolia Sunrise Charity

The Facts: 41-year-old American; in China since 1995. Also general manager of Hudson, an international recruitment firm.

The Project: "Each person in the world should have at least one core idea that can make a positive impact and change the world for the better." She has done just that. Taking her work with China-based charities like Care for Children and Roots & Shoots one step further, she founded Mongolia Sunrise, a charity dedicated to the preservation of Lake Hovsgol National Park. The group organizes an ultra-marathon each summer, with proceeds going towards building awareness in order to encourage sustainable tourism. So far they have paid for the salary of an additional park ranger, bought a garbage truck, and installed solar panels in the camp, amongst other achievements. This is the ninth year of the project

Where to Find Her: Le Bouchon and Lost Heaven. "Both have good food, great atmosphere and is perfect for winding down after a grueling day."

Olya Eastman

Director of SearchBank Recruitment Ltd.

The Facts: 36-year-old Russian; has lived and worked in Shanghai for eight years.

The Project: After studying Management in Asia in Vancouver, Eastman was approached by a headhunter to join the start-up team in Shanghai. "Being in an upper-level management position is a constant challenge," she says. "It's not hard to find good people here; it's hard to fit them into the perfect position, and the client, as always, wants it done yesterday."

At Home: Moving her entire family to the unknown was a huge test. "My husband, young son and I first arrived in Shanghai at 5 a.m. in the morning back in 1999. That same morning I received the call from my then-unknown colleague asking me to report to the office as soon as possible. So I left my husband the task to find an apartment, a job for himself and a kindergarten for the little boy ASAP!"

Where to Find Her: Olya will sometimes go out for drinks or dinner, but normally she heads home to see her two children. She also loves yoga, learning a new piano piece or watching a Russian movie.

Katya Sawyer

PR and Marketing Director of the Park 97 nightlife group

The Facts: 32-year-old Australian; came to Shanghai three years ago.

The Project: Sawyer loves a good challenge and being with Park 97 is a huge one–which she was happy to undertake. "In the nightlife market, clubs and bars open and close within months. With increased competition to Park 97, these past two years have been a rollercoaster ride of challenges," she says. The hard work has paid off. Working with her team, she has created over 150 successsful parties of various sizes.

Women in the Workplace: "Being a woman in China takes a lot of strength, especially when it is difficult to keep private and public life separate. It's demanding, stressful and no day is a perfect day, but it also takes a certain type of person to love what they do," says Sawyer.

Where to Find Her: Katya spends her days in one of Shanghai's most popular clubs. After work, she likes nothing better than meeting up with friends for a quiet dinner or going home to watch a DVD or to sleep!

And the men say... Two men reflect on their accomplishments and how women have made important contributions to their successes. Fraser White Founder of Dulwich College China. In 2002, White secured the rights to establish Dulwich College in China–though it was actually his wife Karen who first met with the head of Dulwich College London and suggested the idea. "At the time there were no English National Curriculum schools in Shanghai, and we felt that the schools in Shanghai didn't offer what we wanted for our children," says White. "My job would probably have been easier if I were a woman. Education is very much a world where women are predominant."

Robert Grant Raised over 250,000 British Pounds for cancer. Last year he trekked with his daughter and 30 others to Mount. Qomolangma Base Camp in Tibet to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust. They raised over 250,000 GBP, all of which went directly to the charity. "I believe that as long as a team is united and there is a mutual respect in the workplace, anyone can succeed. Most women are in fact stronger than men! They can run a company, take on a massive project, and still manage to cook a great meal and take care of the children."