Of Cheers and Tears

Token2049 Singapore was amazing! It stormed in like a typhoon, filling the crowd with euphoria and frenzy, and leaving many crying “More! More!”. Riding on this energy, it set the stage for a bold initiative by Women in Blockchain Alliance (WIBA) AllStarsWomen DAO WEB3 WEDNESDAY MEETUP to introduce Not Your Token (NYT), aimed at addressing the lack of diverse representation at the main Token2049 conference.

We did this on impulse, without much planning, because we felt someone had to take action. WIBA has always believed that you need to take affirmative action to create real change.

And so, we started NYT with simple aims -

• ensuring women speakers take centre stage
• showcasing the skills and expertise of women in their fields.
• empowering a new generation of women who are often overlooked and denied the opportunity to take the stage.

We did this with the understanding that, as leaders of our own communities, we would not take the stage ourselves but instead give the space to others.

Just as we were building momentum, personal tragedy struck when a death in my family forced me from active participation. The timing was awful as we were just days away from the event.

No words can precisely sum up what I am about to say.

Finding friends beyond crypto.

My journey in crypto and traveling to conferences allowed me to make new connections and friends. I could not have imagined that some of them would travel from their respective countries, at their own expense, to attend the funeral, stand by my side, and offer support. Ladies, you have no idea how alone I felt in my pain, and your presence there comforted me and reminded me that I do not need to walk through this alone.

I appreciate every one of these moments you did for me; when you turned down a side event in Token2049, rushed back to the hotel to be there while I muddled through my chaotic emotions; when my facade was cracking; when leadership felt impossible; when you sat in silence and watched a friend struggle through her grief.

Unity in Forging Ahead

My allies in AllStarsWomen DAO and WEB3 WEDNESDAY MEETUP sprung into action, taking over, stepping in, and making up for my limitations. Yet, through it all, these ladies never took advantage of my situation. They ensured that WIBA remained fully and competently represented.

I appreciate every personal word of comfort and strength, and I know that I am not good at responding, but your words and your thoughts matter a lot.

I am grateful for your patience, even during the time when I wasn’t at my best.

Forced Personal Reflection

Grief isn’t linear

Ida, you avoid by working to distraction

Whispers from friends pushed me to confront my demons head-on. Grief's reality struck—an all-consuming beast devouring from within. Its pain defies measure, demanding release.

Living in grief is like being in a goldfish bowl where everyone sees you and you can see them, but you are separated by this barrier that divides 2 worlds: one that moves on and one that pulls you under.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to break down unexpectedly, to keep things private, and to choose when to share. Feeling angry is natural, and asking for help is essential.

It’s perfectly fine to not be okay!

Not Your Token Singapore 2024 will always be special to me. It was a time when humanity and integrity shone through. The message was bigger than women empowerment, touching the very core of human connection. It was about caring for one another and about showing up for each other.

Akina Ho Miriam Feiler Yvonne Ng Belinda Lim Alice T. Chezka Gonzales Linda Ang Tannie Nicholas-Tang Hanis Harmiles Irene Umar Karen Cohen Hilary Chiu Joyal Langoy Alexander Baigent Shahmeer Chaudhry Ivan Seara Nunes Pauline Barnades-Moore Debra Langley Sandy Carter Sonal Paprocki Women in Blockchain Alliance (WIBA) AllStarsWomen DAO WEB3 WEDNESDAY MEETUP Fluidity Labs Reinvent DAO W3GG Melissa Kurtcan Nicole Nguyen Ai Ching San Jeremy Hor Tony Chin FCA, ICDM(F), QRD Eric Ho Vinzka C. Janikha