Celebrating the Resilience of Women in Tembagapura with the Spirit and Inspiration of Kartini
On a chilly Friday morning, May 16, 2025, the spirit of the women of Tembagapura was anything but cold as they gathered at the Lupa Lelah Club. The annual Kartini Day celebration, hosted by Persatuan Wanita Tembagapura (PWT), also known in English as the Tembagapura Ladies Club (TLC), held special significance this year as it also marked the 38th anniversary of the organization. With the theme “Self-Reflection to Become a Resilient and Accomplished Women for a Better Quality of Life".
Chairwoman of PWT, Kiky Erari, shared her hopes for the lasting impact of Kartini’s legacy amongst the women of Tembagapura. “May we all be the sources of support and motivation for one another, and may we carry the spirit of Kartini forward to the next generation. Let us be strong, intelligent, and successful women who strive to improve our quality of life.”
Two inspiring women took the stage as speakers during a heartfelt sharing session: Retno Nartani and Rita Olwin Sihombing. Retno spoke about her journey in the male-dominated mining industry, rising from the ground up to her current role as Corporate HSE Director at Sinarmas Mining. Meanwhile Rita shared her story of life after retirement, transitioning from Tembagapura to Jakarta and building Tataring Catering from scratch into a thriving business. Both women emphasized that resilience isn’t defined solely by career or business success. A homemaker possesses immense strength as the foundation of a family.
“Stay at home mothers are often seen as not working, when in fact, they carry an important role as a vital support system in a household,” said Rita. Retno also added, “Resilience is not just a choice for women, but a legacy that we carry forward for future generations.”
Beyond the inspiring talks, the celebration featured choir performances, traditional dance, theatrical showcases portraying the journey of Indonesian women through the ages, fun games, and exciting door prizes which created a warm and inclusive atmosphere for both local and expatriate participants.
One of the expatriate attendees shared, “Kartini Day is an incredible opportunity for us expats in Indonesia to learn about this important figure and to witness just how proud Indonesian women are of her legacy.”
Later in the afternoon, participants gathered for an after-work chat with Retno, diving deeper into the challenges and roles of women in the mining sector. The discussion served as both a learning space and a source of strength for everyone involved.
The 2025 Kartini Day celebration in Tembagapura was a reflective moment that reignited the spirit of women to continue growing, supporting each other, and playing active roles in all aspects of life. It was not merely a tribute to Kartini, but a celebration of solidarity, diversity, and the power of modern day Kartinis who carried on her legacy in their lives.
Through this shared spirit, the women of Tembagapura prove that no matter where they are, they are vital agents of progress and change.
Happy Kartini’s Day. May Kartini’s spirit continues to live on in all steps women take, inspiring generations to come and empowering Indonesian women to remain resilient and intelligent.
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