Lee Choo Neo facts for kids

Lee Choo Neo (Chinese: 李珠娘; pinyin: Lǐ Zhū Niáng) was a very important person in Singapore's history. She was born on September 7, 1895. She became the first female doctor to work in Singapore. Her father, Lee Hoon Leong, was a merchant. Her mother was Mak Hup Sin. Lee Choo Neo was also the aunt of Lee Kuan Yew. He later became Singapore's first Prime Minister.

Early Life and Education

Lee Choo Neo went to two well-known schools. She attended Singapore Chinese Girls’ School. She also studied at Raffles Girls’ School. In 1911, she achieved something amazing. She became the first girl from the Straits Chinese community to earn the Senior Cambridge Certificate. This was a big achievement at the time.

After her schooling, she went on to study medicine. In 1919, she graduated from the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. This made her one of the very first women doctors in the region.

Medical Career

After finishing her studies, Lee Choo Neo started her medical career. She worked as an assistant surgeon. Her job involved looking after two wards for women at the General Hospital.

On September 21, 1922, Lee Choo Neo married Teo Koon Lim. They had a son named Lionel and two daughters, Eileen and Winnie. After working for the government for several years, she decided to resign. She moved with her husband to Kuala Lumpur because of his business.

However, in 1930, she returned to Singapore. She then opened her own clinic. It was called Lee Dispensary and was on Bras Basah Road. Her clinic focused on helping mothers and babies.

Community Work and Women's Rights

Lee Choo Neo was not just a doctor. She also cared deeply about her community. In 1915, she helped start the Chinese Ladies' Association of Malaya. This group later became known as the Chinese Women’s Association.

The association did many good things. They raised money to help during wars. They taught women useful home skills. They also encouraged women to play outdoor sports. The association even sponsored a special home. This home helped women who were in danger or needed support. Lee Choo Neo worked as the honorary secretary for many years.

In 1925, Lee Choo Neo was chosen for an important committee. She and two other women joined the Chinese Marriage Committee. This committee looked into whether new laws were needed for Chinese marriages and divorces. They found that women wanted to end polygamy, where a man could have multiple wives. However, men did not agree. Their findings were very important. They helped lead to the Women's Charter in 1961. This law made polygamy illegal in Singapore.

Legacy

Lee Choo Neo passed away on September 7, 1947. She is buried in Singapore at the Bukit Brown Chinese Cemetery.

In 2014, the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame was created. This special hall honors women who have made big contributions to Singapore. Lee Choo Neo was one of the first people to be included in it that very same year. She was recognized for her amazing work in the "Health" category. Her legacy continues to inspire many.

See also

In Spanish: Lee Choo Neo para niños