Singapore Women's Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Singapore Women's Hall of Fame is a special place that celebrates and remembers important women in Singapore's history. It's like a digital museum that honors women who have done amazing things. The Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) created this Hall of Fame. It started in 2005 with a smaller group of nine women, and then grew into what it is today.
What Achievements Are Honored?
The Hall of Fame recognizes women for their achievements in many different areas. These include:
- adventurers and explorers
- advocacy and activism
- arts/culture/entertainment
- business and enterprise
- community/social work
- education
- environment/conservation
- health
- government
- law
- science/technology
- sports
- uniformed professions
How the Hall of Fame Started
The Singapore Women's Hall of Fame officially opened on March 14, 2014. At first, 108 women were chosen to be part of it. A special group of five people, led by Ambassador Tommy Koh, picked these first women from over 200 suggestions. It took them more than a year to decide!
President of Singapore Tony Tan and his wife, Mary Tan, were special guests at the launch event. They helped give out some of the awards. In 2015, on International Women's Day, eleven more women were added. The Speaker of Parliament, Halimah Yacob, presented these awards. That same month, The Fullerton Hotel Singapore hosted a photo exhibit showing the 108 women who were first inducted.
Anyone can suggest women for the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Women can even be added after they have passed away.
Honored Women
Here are some of the amazing women in the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame:
- Key
2014 * | Member of the original Wall of Fame |
Name | Birth–Death | Year | Category | Area of achievement |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adelene Wee | (1965-) | 2014 | Sports | At 19, she became the world's youngest World Bowling Champion. |
Aisha Akbar | (1930-) | 2017 | Arts/Culture/Entertainment/Media | Music teacher, songwriter, author, and broadcaster who collected Malay folk songs. |
Aline Wong | (1941-) | 2014 | Government | A sociologist and MP, she supported early childhood and arts education as Minister of Education. |
Agnes Fong Sock Har | (1946-) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | She was the first female commanding officer in the Singapore Armed Forces. |
Agnes Joaquim | (1854-1899) | 2015 | Environment/conservation | She bred the first hybrid orchid, the Vanda 'Miss Joaquim', which is now Singapore's national flower. |
Anamah Tan | (1940-) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | She co-founded the Singapore Association of Women Lawyers and fought against gender discrimination. |
Alice Pennefather | (1903-1983) | 2016 | Sports | Singapore’s first women’s singles badminton champion. |
Annabel Pennefather | (1948-2020) | 2021 | Sports | A pioneering sports leader and lawyer, she was the first woman on the Singapore National Olympic Council's executive committee. |
Anastasia Tjendri-Liew | (1947-) | 2018 | Business & enterprise | Founder of a very successful bakery chain in Singapore. |
Ang Swee Chai | (1948-) | 2016 | Health | An orthopedic surgeon who co-founded the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. |
Anita Sarawak | (1952-) | 2017 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | An internationally famous singer. |
Ann Elizabeth Wee | (1926-) | 2014 | Community/social work | Known as the "founding mother of social work in Singapore," she helped the abused and abandoned. |
Anne Lee Tzu Pheng | (1946-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A world-famous poet and winner of the Cultural Medallion for Literature. |
Anastasia Gan | (1958-) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | After two decades in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, she became Singapore's first female commercial pilot. |
Aziza Ali | (1950-) | 2016 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | A restaurateur, Malay chef, and writer. |
Bridget Tan | (1948-2022) | 2015 | Advocacy & activism | She championed migrant worker rights and fought against human trafficking, founding HOME. |
Catherine Lim | (1942-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A bestselling author known for her historical fiction with strong female characters. |
Checha Davies | (1898-1979) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | A women's rights advocate and two-time president of the YWCA. |
Chua Jim Neo | (1907-1980) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | She wrote Mrs Lee's Cookbook, a famous book on Peranakan cuisine, and was the mother of Singapore's first Prime Minister. |
Chan Choy Siong | (1931-1981) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | A member of the Legislative Assembly, she worked for women's rights within the People's Action Party. |
Chee Swee Lee | (1955-) | 2014 | Sports | A sprinter who won Singapore's first gold medal at the Asian Games in 1974. |
Chua Sock Koong | (1957-) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | The CEO of Singtel, she is recognized as one of Forbes' Most Powerful Woman Leaders in Business. |
Chan Heng Chee | (1942-) | 2014 | Government | One of Singapore's most successful diplomats, she was the first permanent representative to the United Nations. |
Cheong Koon Hean | (1957-) | 2014 | Government | She led the planning of the Marina Bay district as head of the Urban Redevelopment Authority. |
Claire Chiang | (1951-) | 2018 | Business & enterprise | Known for her work in corporate responsibility. |
Constance Goh | (1906-1996) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | An international leader in family planning and reproductive rights. |
Charlotte Elizabeth Ferguson-Davie | (1880-1943) | 2014 | Health | She founded St. Andrew's Mission Hospital and started some of Singapore's first training programs for female midwives and nurses. |
Chng Seok Tin | (1946-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A visually impaired sculptor and artist, she was the first Singaporean to exhibit at the United Nations Headquarters. |
Constance Mary Turnbull | (1927-2008) | 2014 | Education | She documented Singapore's history in A History of Singapore, 1819-1975. |
Constance Singam | (1936-) | 2015 | Advocacy & activism | An activist for women's rights and migrant worker rights, she led Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE). |
Che Zahara binte Noor Mohamed | (1907-1962) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | She founded the first Muslim women's organization in Singapore and helped pass the Women's Charter. |
Christina Ong | (1948-) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | An international fashion and hotel entrepreneur, she owns the Club 21 boutique chain. |
Cynthia Goh | (1949-) | 2014 | Health | She pioneered and promoted hospice and palliative care in Singapore. |
Daisy Devan | (1928-2009) | 2018 | Business & enterprise | The first Asian woman to lead a record label in Southeast Asia. |
Daisy Vaithilingam | (1925-2014) | 2014 | Community/social work | A medical social worker who created the first foster care plan for children in Singapore. |
Ding Jeak Ling | (1956-) | 2022 | Science/Technology | A pioneering researcher in biochemistry. |
Eleanor Clunies-Ross | (1934-) | 2016 | Sports | A pioneering sprint champion. |
Elizabeth Choy | (1910-2006) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | She was awarded the Order of the British Empire for smuggling supplies to British prisoners of war during the Japanese occupation of Singapore. |
Ellice Handy | (1902-1989) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | She wrote the first Singaporean cookbook, My Favorite Recipes (1952). |
Euleen Goh | (1955-) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | She headed Standard Chartered Bank's Singapore operations and served on many corporate boards. |
Elizabeth Sam | (1939-) | 2014 | Government | She helped shape Singapore's growth as a global financial center. |
Esther Tan Cheng Yin | (1975-) | 2014 | Adventurers & explorers | The first woman naval diver in the Singapore Navy and an elite adventure racer. |
Evelyn Norris | (1918-2014) | 2019 | Education | Principal at Raffles Girls' School. |
Fang Ai Lian | (1949-) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | She was the first woman to lead the Singapore office of a multinational financial services firm, Ernst & Young. |
Florence Chua Siew Lian | (1965-) | 2019 | Uniformed professions | The first woman to become a deputy commissioner of the police department in Singapore. |
Gan Siow Huang | (1974-) | 2019 | Uniformed professions | The first woman to become a brigadier-general in the Singapore armed forces. |
Geh Min | (1950-) | 2014 | Environment/conservation | An eye surgeon known for her work as a conservationist, leading the Nature Society. |
Geraldene Lowe-Ismail | (1938-) | 2018 | Arts/culture/media | A tour guide of Singapore for over 50 years. |
Gloria Beck | (1938-2015) | 2016 | Sports | A pioneer athlete. |
Gloria Lim | (1930-) | 2014 | Science/technology | A mycology expert, she was the first woman Dean of Science at the National University of Singapore. |
Goh Soo Khim | (1944-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | An instructor and principal dancer at the Singapore Ballet Academy, she co-founded the Singapore Dance Theatre. |
Georgette Chen | (1906-1993) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | An acclaimed oil painter who helped create the Nanyang Style of painting. |
Glory Barnabas | (1963-) | 2019 | Sports | A noted runner. |
Goh Lay Kuan | (1939-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A choreographer, ballet dancer, and dance educator, she created Singapore's first modern dance production. |
Grace Yin Pek-Ha | (1884-1972) | 2018 | Community/social work | An early social worker. |
Fatimah binte Sulaiman | (1754?–1852?) | 2014 * | Community/social work | A merchant and giver who donated land for the Masjid Hajjah Fatimah mosque. |
Han Sai Por | (1943-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | Considered a top sculptor in Southeast Asia, her works are shown worldwide. |
Helen Yeo Cheng Hoong | (1950-) | 2014 | Law | She grew her law firm into one of the country's largest. |
Halimah Yacob | (1954-) | 2014 | Government | She was the first woman Speaker of Parliament and the first woman President of the Republic of Singapore. |
Hedwig Anuar | (1928-) | 2014 | Government | The Director of the National Library of Singapore for 28 years and a founder of AWARE. |
Ho Ching | (1953-) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | She rose through the Ministry of Defense and became CEO of Temasek Holdings. |
Ho Yuen Hoe | (1908-2006) | 2014 | Community/social work | A Buddhist nun who founded Lin Chee Cheng Sia Temple and Singapore's first Buddhist nursing home. |
Ida Mabel Murray Simmons | (1882-1958) | 2021 | Health | A nurse who greatly improved maternal and infant health care. |
Indranee Elizabeth Nadisen | (1940-) | 2014 | Community/social work | Singapore's longest-serving foster mother, caring for 45 children over 35 years. |
Ivy Singh-Lim | (1949-) | 2014 | Environment/conservation | She owns a chemical-free farm and promoted Netball Singapore. |
Jackie Yi-Ru Ying | (1966-) | 2014 | Science/technology | A leading nanotechnology researcher who founded the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. |
Jayalekshmi Mohideen | (1945-) | 2016 | Government | Singapore's first woman career ambassador. |
Jennifer Lee Gek Choo | (1952-) | 2014 | Health | She worked with the Ministry of Health and advocated for family-friendly work practices. |
Joscelin Yeo Wei Ling | (1979-) | 2014 | Sports | A swimmer who won 40 gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games. |
Janet Jesudason | (1936-) | 2016 | Sports | A pioneer athlete who represented Singapore in the 1956 Olympics. |
Janet Lim Chiu Mei | (1923-2014) | 2014 | Health | The first Asian hospital matron at St Andrews Mission Hospital. Her autobiography was the first English book by a Singaporean. |
Janet Yee | (1934-) | 2015 | Community/social work | A pioneering social worker who fought for abandoned babies to be recognized as citizens. |
Jenny Lau Buong Bee | (1932-2013) | 2014 | Law | She was the first woman to be appointed a district judge in Singapore. |
Julie Tan Eng Poh | (1930-) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | The founder of Singapore's first credit union for women. |
Jing Junhong | (1968-) | 2014 | Sports | A Table tennis player who represented Singapore in three Olympics and later became the national team coach. |
Junie Sng Poh Leng | (1964-) | 2014 * | Sports | The first Singaporean woman to win a gold medal for swimming at the Asian Games. |
Jennie Chua | (1945-) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | A leading executive in the hospitality industry, she was the first woman to chair the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. |
Joanna Wong Quee Heng | (1939-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | Known as the "doyenne of Cantonese opera in Singapore," she started the Chinese Theatre Circle. |
Judith Prakash | (1951-) | 2016 | Law | The first judge appointed to hear arbitration cases before the Supreme Court. |
Kandasamy Jayamani | (1955-) | 2019 | Sports | A long-distance runner in Singapore. |
Kanwaljit Soin | (1942-) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | Singapore's first woman Nominated Member of Parliament, she pushed for women's rights laws. |
Karen Tan Puay Kiow | (1962-) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | In 2005, she became the first female colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces. |
Kartina Dahari | (1941-2014) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A singer known as the "Queen of Keroncong" (Malay folk music). |
Kee Bee Khim | (1951-) | 2022 | Sports | A pioneer of women's golf in Singapore. |
Khatijun Nissa Siraj | (1925-) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | She pushed for the creation of a Syariah Court to help Muslim women facing difficult divorces. |
Khoo Teh Lynn | (1981-) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | She was the first female fighter pilot in Singapore. |
Koh Chai Hong | (1959-) | 2015 | Uniformed professions | The first woman to qualify as a pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force. |
Koh Kheng Lian | (1937-) | 2014 | Environment/conservation | An internationally recognized expert in Environmental law. |
Koh Soo Boon | (1951-) | 2022 | Business & Enterprise | Founder of Singapore’s first venture capital firm led by a woman. |
Kwa Geok Choo | (1920-2010) | 2014 | Law | The wife of Singapore's first prime minister, she co-founded Lee & Lee, a large law firm. |
Kwan Shan Mei | (1922-2012) | 2021 | Arts/Culture/Media | An illustrator of children's books and arts educator. |
Lai Siu Chiu | (1948-) | 2016 | Law | The first woman to serve on the Singapore Supreme Court. |
Lam Lay Yong | (1936-) | 2014 | Science/technology | An expert on the history of Chinese Mathematics, she was the first Asian to win the Kenneth O. May Prize. |
Lee Suet Fern | (1958-) | 2014 | Law | The founder of Stamford Law Corporation, a major player in mergers and acquisitions. |
Leo Yee Sin | (1959-) | 2022 | Health | A leader in the fight against infectious diseases. |
Lily Kong | (1965-) | 2022 | Education | The first Singaporean woman to lead a university in Singapore. |
Lim Soo Hoon | (1959-) | 2014 | Government | The first woman Permanent Secretary in Singapore, serving in many civil service leadership roles. |
Laurentia Tan | (1979-) | 2014 | Sports | Singapore's most decorated paralympian, winning medals in dressage. |
Li Lienfung | (1923-2011) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A newspaper columnist, novelist, and playwright whose work won many awards. |
Lucy Wan | (1933-) | 2014 | Science/technology | The first woman to earn a doctorate in pharmacy from the National University of Singapore. |
Leaena Tambyah | (1937-) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | A social worker who created the Handicapped Children's Playgroup, which won a United Nations award. |
Liew Yuen Sien | (1901-1975) | 2019 | Education | Principal of the Nanyang Girls' School. |
Lim Hwee Hua | (1959-) | 2014 * | Government | She was the first female Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the first female Cabinet Minister in Singapore. |
Lynnette Seah | (1957-) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A Cultural Medallion-winning violinist and a founding member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. |
Lee Choo Neo | (1895-1947) | 2014 | Health | The first practicing woman doctor in what would become Singapore. |
Lim Sok Bee | (1963-) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | The first woman commander of an artillery battalion, she rose to Lieutenant colonel. |
Mae Noeline Oehlers | (1916-1987) | 2021 | Sports | A hockey player, and the first Singaporean principal at Raffles Girls School. |
Maggie Lim | (1913-1995) | 2014 | Health | A doctor and advocate for family planning, she was the first girl in Singapore to win the Queen's Scholarship. |
Margaret Leng Tan | (1945-) | 2014 | Arts | A toy piano virtuoso. |
Maria Dyer | (1803-1845) | 2014 * | Education | A British missionary who founded St. Margaret's School, the first school for girls in East Asia. |
Marjorie Doggett | (1921-2010) | 2017 | Advocacy & Activism | An Animal rights advocate. |
Mary Beatrice Klass | (1935-) | 2016 | Sports | A pioneering athlete and one of two women at the 1956 Olympics. |
Mary Quintal | (1930-) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | The first woman Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore. |
May Wong | (1899-1989) | 2016 | Community/social work | A lifelong social worker and fund-raiser. |
Miranda Yap | (1948-2015) | 2018 | Science/technology | A pioneer biomedical scientist. |
Mozelle Nissim | (1883-1975) | 2018 | Community/social work | A Jewish giver and community leader. |
Myrna Braga-Blake | (1935-2019) | 2021 | Community/Social Work | A pioneer in social work and educator who helped victims of domestic violence. |
Nalla Tan | (1923-2012) | 2015 | Education | A writer and advocate for public health education. |
Neila Sathyalingam | (1938-2017) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | A leading teacher of Indian classical dance in Singapore. |
Noeleen Heyzer | (1948-) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | As a leader at the United Nations, she worked on poverty, social, and environmental programs. |
Nona Asiah | (1931-) | 2022 | Media and Entertainment | A famous figure in Malay music and film during the 1950s and 1960s. |
Olivia Lum | (1961-) | 2014 | Business & Enterprise | Founder of Hyflux. |
Oon Chiew Seng | (1916-2022) | 2014 | Health | Founder of the first nursing home for dementia patients. |
Patricia Chan Li-Yin | (1954-) | 2014 | Sports | A trailblazing swimmer and Singapore’s first "Golden Girl." |
Phan Wait Hong | (1912-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | Called "grande dame of Beijing opera in Singapore," she performed regularly until age 82. |
Phyllis Eu Cheng Li | (1914-2004) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | The first woman in Singapore to be elected to a government office in 1949. |
Phyllis Tan Poh Lian | (1933-) | 2018 | Law | A lawyer and the first woman to lead a law society in Singapore. |
Puan Noor Aishah | (1933-) | 2018 | Community/social work | The first First Lady in Singapore. |
Rahimah Rahim | (1955-) | 2017 | Arts/Culture/Entertainment/Media | A singer known as "Singapore's first Lady of Song." |
Ruth Wong Hie King | (1918-1982) | 2014 | Education | A pioneering educator who changed teacher training in Singapore. |
Santha Bhaskar | (1939-) | 2021 | Arts/Media/Culture | A dancer and choreographer. |
Sarah Winstedt | (1886–1972) | 2014 | Health | A physician and surgeon who worked with the Colonial Medical Service in British Malaya. |
Shirin Fozdar | (1905-1992) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | A women's rights activist who helped create the Singapore Council of Women and the Syariah Court. |
Singapore Women's Everest Team | — | 2014 | Adventurers & explorers | Jane Lee, Sim Yihui, Joanne Soo, Lee Peh Gee, Lee Li Hui, and Esther Tan – Singapore's first all-women mountain climbing team who attempted to scale Mount Everest. |
Seow Peck Leng | (1911-2007) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | An educator and politician who founded the Siglap Girls' Club and pushed for gender equality. |
Sophia Blackmore | (1857-1927) | 2014 | Education | Founder of Methodist Girls’ School. |
Sophia Pang | (1972-) | 2014 | Adventurers & explorers | The first Singaporean woman to reach the South Pole as part of an expedition. |
Mathilde Raclot | (1814-1911) | 2014 | Education | Founder of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus schools. |
Stella Kon | (1944-) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | An award-winning writer, best known for Emily of Emerald Hill. |
Suchen Christine Lim | (1948-) | 2014 | Arts & Culture | An award-winning novelist. |
Sudha Nair | (1957-) | 2022 | Community/Social work | A pioneering social worker and expert in family violence. |
Sylvia Kho | (1917-2013) | 2017 | Business & Enterprise | A pioneering bridal gown designer and entrepreneur. |
Tan Cheng Hiong | (1904-1999) | 2016 | Advocacy & activism | A women's rights activist and the first president of the Singapore Council of Women. |
Tan Chew Neo | (1898-1986) | 2015 | Community/Social Work | A pioneering community worker. |
Tan Sau Fun | (1931-2011) | 2014 | Science/Technology | The first and only female professor of chemistry in Singapore. |
Tan Teck Neo | (1877-1978) | 2018 | Community/social work | A community leader, giver, and advocate for women in public life. |
Tan Yoon Yin | (1929-) | 2016 | Sports | Founder of Singapore Women’s Netball Association. |
Tang Pui Wah | (1933-) | 2014 | Sports | A hurdler and Singapore’s first female Olympian. |
Theresa Poh Lin Chan | (1943-2016) | 2014 | Education | Known as the Helen Keller of Southeast Asia. |
Teo Ah Hong | (1953-2020) | 2021 | Uniformed Professions | The first woman to qualify as a commercial pilot. |
Teo Soon Kim | (1904-1978) | 2014 | Law | The first woman to be allowed to practice law in Singapore. |
Teresa Hsu Chih | (1898-2014) | 2014 | Community/social work | One of the most loved social workers in Singapore. |
Tham Yew Chin | (1950-) | 2019 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | One of the best-known writers from Singapore in China. |
Theresa Poh Lin Chan | (1943-2016) | 2014 | Education | Known as the Helen Keller of Southeast Asia. |
Theresa Foo | (1943-) | 2014 | Business & Enterprise | The first Asian female chief executive at Standard Chartered Bank. |
Theresa Goh | (1987-) | 2014 | Sports | A pioneering Paralympic swimmer and advocate for disability sports. |
Thung Syn Neo | (1932-) | 2014 | Community/Social Work | A pioneering social worker behind the Family Service Centre initiative. |
Violet Oon | (1949-) | 2016 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | An advocate and champion for Singaporean cuisine. |
Wong-Lee Siok Tin | (1938-1993) | 2017 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | An English-language journalist and broadcaster. |
Yang Chang Man | (1944-) | 2018 | Environment/conservation | A zoologist, curator, and the woman who saved the valuable Raffles Collection. |
Yip Pin Xiu | (1991-) | 2014 | Sports | Singapore’s first Olympic-level gold medal winner. |
Yu-Foo Yee Shoon | (1950-) | 2014 * | Government | She was one of the first women in the Parliament of Singapore and the nation's first female mayor. |
Yuen Peng McNeice | (1917-2012) | 2015 | Environment/Conservation | A giver and pioneering conservationist. |
Zahrah Za'ba | (1920-1988) | 2019 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | A writer and pioneer in Malay radio broadcasting. |
Zena Clarke Tessensohn | (1909-1996) | 2018 | Sports | One of the 12 founders of the Girls Sports Club (GSC). |
Zuraidah Abdullah | (1962-) | 2014 | Uniformed Professions | The first woman to become a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police. |
Images for kids
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Halimah Yacob, President and former Speaker of Parliament
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Kwa Geok Choo, lawyer