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21 Aug 2026
2 mins
Words, Creativity, and Connections: An Evening for Women Seafarers
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A simple evening of creativity can open the door to meaningful conversations, new friendships, and lasting connections. This was the spirit of the SMOU Women’s Networking Session, where 14 women seafarers came together at the Lighthouse Bistro for an evening of camaraderie over calligraphy.
Held on 12 August 2026, the session was the second SMOU Women’s Networking Session of the year.
Welcoming the participants, Sister Mary Liew, General Secretary of SMOU, highlighted the importance of building a strong support network among women in the maritime community. As SMOU commemorates its 75th anniversary, she reaffirmed the union’s enduring commitment to putting people first, safeguarding their welfare, safety and future.
The evening began with dinner, giving participants the opportunity to get to know one another in a relaxed setting. Over a shared meal, stories and experiences were exchanged, while younger seafarers took the opportunity to seek advice from their peers on life at sea, preparing for their next deployment and working alongside colleagues from different cultures.
Building on these conversations, particpants then took part in a calligraphy workshop that offered an ingenious way for participants to pause, reflect, and express themselves. After learning the basics of modern calligraphy, the women set about creating personalised art cards featuring motivational messages that reflected their own experiences, aspirations, and journeys at sea.
The cards were not meant only for themselves.
Each participant made an additional calligraphy card for a fellow seafarer. This simple act of writing an encouraging message captured the heart of the evening. Small gestures of kindness can make a meaningful difference, especially in a profession where long periods away from home can be challenging.
Beyond the calligraphy and conversations, the evening inspired something even more valuable: a stronger sense of community.
The women left with personalised art cards in hand, but also with new connections, fresh perspectives, and the reassurance of having a network they could turn to.
The SMOU Women’s Networking Session showed that when women seafarers come together, they do more than share experiences. They encourage, inspire, and empower one another for the journey ahead.