IT IS safe to say that singer Kit Chan has not often shared a stage with women like humanitarian Teresa Hsu and hotelier Jennie Chua. All three were in the spotlight at last night's Woman of the Year 1999  awards, organised by Her World magazine.

Ms Chua, 55, president and chief operating officer of Raffles International Limited and general manager of the Raffles Hotel, was named Woman of the Year 1999 for achievements in the hotel and tourism  industry that have done Singapore proud.

Miss Teresa Hsu, 100, took the Special Award for her humanitarian work for the poor and aged sick.

A nurse before, she has worked in London and helped to set up homes for the aged sick in Paraguay and Singapore.

Homegrown star Kit Chan, 28, well-known not just here but also in Hongkong and Taiwan, was named the first Young Woman Achiever, a new award to be given out annually.

It was started because Her World thought it was time  younger women, the under-35s, got due recognition,  said the chairman of the judging panel, Mr Robert Iau.