Society of Foreign Consuls in NY honors FilAm 1st deputy mayor Torres-Springer, others on Women’s Day
New York, March 19, 2025 –The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York (SoFC)
proudly hosted its annual International Women’s Day Celebration at the Consulate
General of India in New York, honoring 14 exceptional women from its member
consulates for their significant contributions in various fields, including business,
government, academia, and community service.
The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York honored 14 exceptional women, including FilAm 1st Deputy Mayor Maria Springer (inset), in celebration of the International Women’s Day 2025 at the Consulate General of India on March 19, 2025.
First deputy mayor of New York City, a Filipino-American, Maria Torres Springer was among the honorees. She focused on the sectors of affordable housing, economy, and workforce as a public servant. Springer was, however unable to attend the event, which honored women leaders from Barbados, Bulgaria, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, The Philippines, Serbia, Thailand, and Türkiye.
The honorees were presented with certificates of recognition and bouquets, with their
achievements displayed on-screen as they received their awards.
Honoree Dr. Prittaya Paladroi-Shane with Thailand Consul General in New York Somjai Taphaopong and Malaysia Consul General and president of the Society of Foreign Consuls H.E. Amir Farid Abu Hasan. Paladroi-Shane is an associate professor of Thai and World Languages at Ohio University.
Philippine Deputy Consul General in New York H.E. Adrian Cruz with honoree Katherine Vos Van Liempt of The Netherlands, a business woman and cultural icon promoting Dutch heritage in the US.
The event, which brought together the diplomatic corps, New York City officials, and
international women leaders, underscored the importance of empowering women and
recognizing their invaluable role in shaping society. In line with SoFC’s ongoing
mission to foster cultural exchange and diplomatic cooperation, this year’s celebration
also coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Society, further emphasizing a century
of commitment to unity and progress.
H.E. Amir Farid Abu Hasan, President of SoFC and Consul General of Malaysia
in New York, delivered opening remarks, highlighting the significance of celebrating
women’s achievements and reinforcing SoFC’s dedication to recognizing female
leadership within diplomatic and international communities.
H.E. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, also
delivered remarks, welcoming guests and emphasizing the importance of international
collaboration in fostering gender equality. He highlighted India’s commitment to
empowering women across various sectors and expressed his gratitude for hosting
this prestigious event.
H.E. Rauan Tleulin, Consul General of Kazakhstan in New York, provided closing
remarks, reflecting on the achievements celebrated during the evening. He
underscored the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to support women’s
leadership and acknowledged the role of SoFC in uniting consulates to promote
meaningful initiatives such as this.
“This celebration is not only about recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of
these women but also about reaffirming our collective commitment to supporting and
uplifting future generations of female leaders,” said SoFC’s President, Amir Farid
Abu Hasan. “As we mark 100 years of SoFC, we remain steadfast in promoting
inclusion, empowerment, and cross-cultural collaboration.”
The evening also featured cultural performances representing the diverse traditions of
SoFC member countries, with spectacular showcases from India, Kazakhstan,
Bulgaria, Georgia, and Mexico.
In attendance were esteemed guests, including Commissioner Edward Mermelstein
of the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs who expressed their support for
women empowerment initiatives and the vital role that international diplomacy plays in
fostering gender equality.
The event concluded with a reception featuring a diverse selection of international
cuisine, generously contributed by various participating consulates, including
Barbados, Bulgaria, Georgia, Guyana, Kosovo, India, Malaysia, Mexico, The
Philippines, Serbia, Thailand, Türkiye.
The SoFC International Women’s Day Celebration remains a cornerstone event in
the organization’s annual calendar, reinforcing its mission to strengthen diplomatic ties
while celebrating cultural diversity and women’s empowerment on a global scale. #
For more information about the event or to inquire about future initiatives, please
contact the Society of Foreign Consuls at: Mr. Danial Akhtar Bin Abd. Halim
Email: danial@kln.gov.my
Phone: +1 (646) 785-7002 /+60-177233095 (WhatsApp)
