The Singapore Women's Hall of Fame is a virtual hall of fame that honors and documents the lives of historically significant women in Singapore. The hall is the creation of the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO), and grew out of an earlier nine-member wall of fame that the organization created in 2005. [1] [2]
The Hall recognizes women in thirteen categories of achievement: [3]
The hall of fame was launched on 14 March 2014, with 108 initial inductees. A five-person selection committee headed by Ambassador Tommy Koh selected the initial inductees from over 200 nominees; the committee took over a year to make its selections. [2] President of Singapore Tony Tan and his wife Mary Tan – a patron of the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations – were the guests of honor at the launch, and presented some of the awards to the recipients at the launch gala. [1] [2] [4] [5] Eleven additional women were inducted in 2015, in a ceremony on International Women's Day. The Speaker of Parliament, Halimah Yacob, presented the awards to the honorees. [6] That month The Fullerton Hotel Singapore held a photo exhibition in partnership with the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame that highlighted 108 of the inductees. [7]
The Singapore Women's Hall of Fame accepts nominations from the public for future inductees, [1] and people can be inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame posthumously. [8]
2014 * | Member of the original Wall of Fame [9] |
Name | Birth–Death | Year | Category | Area of achievement |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adelene Wee | (1965–) | 2014 | Sports | At age 19 she became the nation's first and the world's youngest World Bowling Champion, winning the title at the 1985 World Games. [10] |
Aisha Akbar | (1930–2015) | 2017 | Arts/Culture/Entertainment/Media | Music teacher, songwriter, author and broadcaster. Collected Malay folk songs. [11] |
Aline Wong | (1941–) | 2014 | Government | A sociologist and Member of Parliament, as Minister of Education, she promoted early childhood, special needs, arts education programs, and introduced sex education to the national curriculum. [12] |
Agnes Fong Sock Har | (1946–) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | She became the female commanding officer in the Singapore Armed Forces when, as a captain, she was given command of the 1st Air Supply Base. [13] |
Agnes Joaquim | (1854–1899) | 2015 | Environment/conservation | She was a horticulturalist who bred the first hybrid orchid, the Vanda 'Miss Joaquim', which is now the national flower of Singapore. [14] |
Anamah Tan | (1940–) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | She was a co-founder of the Singapore Association of Women Lawyers, advocate against gender discrimination and domestic abuse, and member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. [15] |
Alice Pennefather | (1903–1983) | 2016 | Sports | Singapore’s first women’s singles badminton champion. [16] |
Annabel Pennefather | (1948–2020) | 2021 | Sports | Trailblazing sports administrator and lawyer. National hockey player, first woman in executive committee of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) in 1999, and subsequently SNOC vice-president in 2006, first woman president of the Singapore Hockey Federation in 2004, first woman as Chef de Mission at sports. [17] |
Anastasia Tjendri-Liew | (1947–) | 2018 | Business & enterprise | Founder of one of the most successful bakery chains in Singapore. [18] |
Ang Swee Chai | (1948–) | 2016 | Health | An orthopedic surgeon who co-found the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. [19] |
Anita Sarawak | (1952–) | 2017 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | Internationally renowned singer. [20] |
Ann Elizabeth Wee | (1926–2019) | 2014 | Community/social work | Considered the "founding mother of social work in Singapore", she worked with the abused and abandoned before joining the staff of the then-University of Malaya and pushing for the development of a four-year degree program to train social workers. [21] |
Anne Lee Tzu Pheng | (1946–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A world-renowned poet and recipient of the Cultural Medallion for Literature, she composed the official song of Singapore's National Day in 1998. [22] |
Anastasia Gan | (1958–) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | After two decades with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, she became the nation's first female commercial pilot when she joined SilkAir. [23] |
Aziza Ali | (1950–) | 2016 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | Restaurateur, Malay chef and writer. [24] |
Bridget Tan | (1948–2022) | 2015 | Advocacy & activism | An advocate for migrant worker rights and against human trafficking, she founded the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI) in 1998 and the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) in 2004. [25] |
Catherine Lim | (1942–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A bestselling author and self-described feminist, she is best known for her works of romantic historical fiction, which feature strong female characters. [26] |
Checha Davies | (1898–1979) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | A women's rights advocate, she served as a spokesperson for the Singapore Council of Women, was a two-time president of the area Young Women's Christian Association, and founded two social organizations, the Indian-Ceylonese Club and the Singapore Inner Wheel Club. [27] |
Chua Jim Neo | (1907–1980) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | She wrote what is considered the most authoritative cookbook on Peranakan cuisine, Mrs Lee's Cookbook, and is the mother of Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. [28] |
Chan Choy Siong | (1931–1981) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | A member of the Legislative Assembly, the precursor to Singapore's Parliament, she organized efforts within the People's Action Party to push for women's rights. [29] |
Chee Swee Lee | (1955–) | 2014 | Sports | A sprinter, she won medals at the SEAP games in 1969, 1971, and 1973, before becoming the first woman from Singapore to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in the 1974 games. [30] |
Chua Sock Koong | (1957–) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | The Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), she is ranked among Forbes ' Most Powerful Woman Leaders in Business list. [31] |
Chan Heng Chee | (1942–) | 2014 | Government | One of the longest serving and most successful diplomats in Singaporean history, she was the nation's first permanent representative to the United Nations and served as the Ambassador of Singapore to the United States from 1996 to 2012. [32] |
Cheong Koon Hean | (1957–) | 2014 | Government | As the head of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, she oversaw the planning of the iconic Marina Bay district, before going on to lead the Housing Development Board. [33] |
Claire Chiang | (1951–) | 2018 | Business & enterprise | Noted for her work in corporate responsibility. [34] |
Constance Goh | (1906–1996) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | An international leader in family planning and reproductive rights, she was the first chairperson of the Singapore Family Planning Association and co-founded the International Planned Parenthood Federation. [35] |
Charlotte Elizabeth Ferguson-Davie | (1880–1943) | 2014 | Health | She founded St. Andrew's Mission Hospital and oversaw some of Singapore's first programs to train female midwives and nurses. [36] |
Chng Seok Tin | (1946–2019) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A visually impaired sculptor and artist, she became the first person from Singapore to exhibit her works at the Headquarters of the United Nations, and is a recipient of the Cultural Medallion. [37] |
Constance Mary Turnbull | (1927–2008) | 2014 | Education | Then the head of the History department at the University of Hong Kong, she documented Singapore's history and independence movement in A History of Singapore, 1819-1975. [38] |
Constance Singam | (1936–) | 2015 | Advocacy & activism | An activist for women's rights, migrant worker rights, and rape victims, she served as the president of Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) over three non-contiguous periods, and as president of the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) for two years. [39] |
Che Zahara binte Noor Mohamed | (1907–1962) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | She founded the first Muslim women's organization in Singapore, the Malay Women's Welfare Association, and was instrumental in the passage of the Women's Charter, a women's rights act. [40] |
Christina Ong | (1947–) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | An international fashion and hotel entrepreneur, she is the owner of the Club 21 boutique chain, serves as director of Singapore Airlines, and is the chair of the National Parks Board. [41] |
Cynthia Goh | (1949–2022) | 2014 | Health | She pioneered and advocated for hospice and palliative care in Singapore, and serves on the boards of several organizations and associations that advance palliative care. [42] |
Daisy Devan | (1928–2009) | 2018 | Business & enterprise | First Asian person working as the leader of a record label in Southeast Asia. [43] |
Daisy Vaithilingam | (1925–2014) | 2014 | Community/social work | A medical social worker, she created first foster care plan for children in her country, helped establish the Singapore Association of Social Workers, and helped create a medical social work program at National University Hospital. [44] |
Ding Jeak Ling | (1956–) | 2022 | Science/Technology | Pioneering researcher in biochemistry. [45] |
Eleanor Clunies-Ross | (1934–) | 2016 | Sports | Pioneering sprint champion. [46] |
Elizabeth Choy | (1910–2006) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | In recognition of her work smuggling supplies to British prisoners of war during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire. She went on to serve as the only female member of the Legislative Council in the body's brief history. [47] |
Ellice Handy | (1902–1989) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | She wrote the first Singaporean cookbook, My Favorite Recipes (1952), in order to raise funds for the Methodist Girls' School, of which she was a lifelong affiliate. [48] |
Euleen Goh | (1955–) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | The head of Standard Chartered Bank's Singapore operations from 2001 to 2006, she has served on the boards of over a dozen corporations and foundations. [49] |
Elizabeth Sam | (1939–2023) | 2014 | Government | As an administrator at the Ministry of Finance and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, she was one of the architects of Singapore's rise as a global financial center. [50] |
Esther Tan Cheng Yin | (1975–) | 2014 | Adventurers & explorers | The first woman naval diver in the Singapore Navy, she is also an elite adventure racer and came within 100 meters of scaling Mount Everest. [51] |
Evelyn Norris | (1918–2014) | 2019 | Education | Principal at Raffles Girls' School. [52] |
Fang Ai Lian | (1949–) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | Spending 34 years at Ernst & Young, she became the first woman to head the Singapore office of a multinational financial services firm, and from 2005 to 2008 she was the chair of the organization. [53] |
Florence Chua Siew Lian | (1965–) | 2019 | Uniformed professions | First woman to become a deputy commissioner of the police department in Singapore. [54] |
Gan Siow Huang | (1974–) | 2019 | Uniformed professions | First woman to become a brigadier-general in the Singapore armed forces. [55] |
Geh Min | (1950–) | 2014 | Environment/conservation | An eye surgeon by trade, she is best known for her work as a conservationist, and served as the head of the Nature Society from 2000 to 2008. [56] |
Geraldene Lowe-Ismail | (1938–) | 2018 | Arts/culture/media | Tour guide of Singapore for more than 50 years. [57] |
Gloria Beck | (1938–2015) | 2016 | Sports | Pioneer athlete. [58] |
Gloria Lim | (1930–2022) | 2014 | Science/technology | A mycology expert, she was the first woman Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Singapore and the first woman member of the Public Service Commission. [59] |
Goh Soo Khim | (1944–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | An instructor and the principal dancer at the Singapore Ballet Academy, she went on to serve as a co-director of the National Dance Company and founded the Singapore Dance Theatre. [60] |
Georgette Chen | (1906–1993) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | An acclaimed oil painter, she was one of a group of artists who established the Nanyang Style of painting, which combines Western technique with Asian themes. [61] |
Glory Barnabas | (1963–) | 2019 | Sports | Noted runner. [62] |
Goh Lay Kuan | (1939–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A choreographer, ballet dancer, and dance educator, she co-founded the Singapore Performing Arts School and created Nu Wa – Mender of the Heavens , Singapore's first modern dance production. [63] |
Grace Yin Pek-Ha | (1884–1972) | 2018 | Community/social work | Early social worker. [64] |
Fatimah binte Sulaiman | (1754?–1852?) | 2014 * | Community/social work | A merchant and philanthropist, she donated money and land for the establishment of the Masjid Hajjah Fatimah mosque, which bears her name. [65] |
Han Sai Por | (1943–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | Considered the top sculptor in Southeast Asia, her works are exhibited internationally, and she received the Cultural Medallion in 1995. [66] |
Helen Yeo Cheng Hoong | (1950–) | 2014 | Law | She grew the firm she co-founded by expanding into the then emerging markets of Vietnam and China, before orchestrating a merger that made her the managing partner of one of the country's largest law firms. [67] |
Halimah Yacob | (1954–) | 2014 | Government | She is both the first woman to serve as the Speaker of Parliament and the first woman of Malay descent to serve in Parliament, first woman to serve as the President of the Republic of Singapore. [68] |
Hedwig Anuar | (1928–) | 2014 | Government | The Director of the National Library of Singapore for 28 years, she was also a founder and one-time president of the women's rights group Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE). [69] |
Ho Ching | (1953–) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | After rising through the ranks of the Ministry of Defense, she went on to lead the Singapore Technologies group and later became Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings. [70] |
Ho Yuen Hoe | (1908–2006) | 2014 | Community/social work | A Buddhist nun and abbess, she founded Lin Chee Cheng Sia Temple and opened the nation's first Buddhist nursing home. [71] |
Ida Mabel Murray Simmons | (1882–1958) | 2021 | Health | Nurse who transformed maternal and infant health care. [72] |
Indranee Elizabeth Nadisen | (1940–) | 2014 | Community/social work | The nation's longest serving foster mother, she served as a foster mother for 35 years, caring for 45 children over that time. [73] |
Ivy Singh-Lim | (1949–) | 2014 | Environment/conservation | An advocate for farming in Singapore, she owns a chemical-free farm that is open to the public. She also served as the president of Netball Singapore for fourteen years, and worked to popularize the sport. [74] |
Jackie Yi-Ru Ying | (1966–) | 2014 | Science/technology | A leading researcher in nanotechnology, she left a professorship at MIT to found the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology to advance biomedical research in Singapore. [75] |
Jayalekshmi Mohideen | (1945–) | 2016 | Government | First woman career ambassador in Singapore. [76] |
Jennifer Lee Gek Choo | (1952–) | 2014 | Health | Serving with the Ministry of Health, Singapore General Hospital, and then with KK Women's and Children's Hospital, she became an advocate for family-friendly work practices. [77] |
Joscelin Yeo Wei Ling | (1979–) | 2014 | Sports | A swimmer, she is the only athlete to win 40 gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games, doing so over a 17-year career. [78] |
Janet Jesudason | (1936–) | 2016 | Sports | Pioneer athlete who represented Singapore in the 1956 Olympics. [79] |
Janet Lim Chiu Mei | (1923–2014) | 2014 | Health | At St Andrews Mission Hospital, she became the first Asian hospital matron. Her autobiography, Sold for Silver, was the first English-language book by a Singaporean author. [80] |
Janet Yee | (1934–2019) | 2015 | Community/social work | Recognized as a pioneering social worker, she campaigned to ensure that abandoned babies would be considered citizens, and thus able to receive social services. [81] |
Jenny Lau Buong Bee | (1932–2013) | 2014 | Law | She was the first woman to be appointed a district judge in Singapore. [82] |
Julie Tan Eng Poh | (1930–1995) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | The founder of the first credit union for women in Singapore, the D.E.W. Credit Cooperative, she was also a founding member of the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations through her role as President of the YWCA. [83] |
Jing Junhong | (1968–) | 2014 | Sports | A Chinese-born naturalized Singaporean, she represented Singapore in Table tennis in the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics, before becoming the national team coach. [84] |
Junie Sng Poh Leng | (1964–) | 2014 * | Sports | The first woman from Singapore to win a gold medal for swimming at the Asian Games, at the time she was also the youngest person to win a medal at the competition. [85] |
Jennie Chua | (1945–) | 2014 | Business & enterprise | A leading executive in the hospitality industry, she grew Singapore's profile as a destination for conventions, and became the first woman to chair the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. [86] |
Joanna Wong Quee Heng | (1939–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | Considered the "doyenne of Cantonese opera in Singapore", she started the Chinese Theatre Circle to preserve the [87] |
Judith Prakash | (1951–) | 2016 | Law | The first judge appointed to hear arbitration cases brought before the Supreme Court. [88] |
Kandasamy Jayamani | (1955–) | 2019 | Sports | Long distance runner in Singapore. [89] |
Kanwaljit Soin | (1942–) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | The nation's first woman Nominated Member of Parliament, the women's rights laws she pushed for were eventually included in the Women's Charter. She is also one of the founders of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE). [90] |
Karen Tan Puay Kiow | (1962–) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | In 2005, she became the first female colonel in the Singapore Armed Forces. [91] |
Kartina Dahari | (1941–2014) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A singer known as the "Queen of Keroncong", referring to a genre of Malay folk music, she performed internationally and for dignities visiting Singapore, and was signed by the record label EMI. [92] |
Kee Bee Khim | (1951–) | 2022 | Sports | Pioneer of women's golf in Singapore. [45] |
Khatijun Nissa Siraj | (1925–2023) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | In response to an epidemic of women in the Singaporean Muslim community being abandoned through inexpensive and easy divorces, she pressed for the formation of a Syariah Court, and served as its first caseworker. [93] |
Khoo Teh Lynn | (1981–) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | She was the first female fighter pilot in Singapore. [94] |
Koh Chai Hong | (1959–) | 2015 | Uniformed professions | The first woman to qualify as a pilot in the Republic of Singapore Air Force, she is also one of the first two women (promoted at the same time) to reach the rank of lieutenant colonel. [95] |
Koh Kheng Lian | (1937–) | 2014 | Environment/conservation | An internationally recognized expert in Environmental law, she led Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law at the National University of Singapore to become a leading institution for the study of environmental law. [96] |
Koh Soo Boon | (1951–) | 2022 | Business & Enterprise | Founder of Singapore’s first female-led venture capital firm. [45] |
Kwa Geok Choo | (1920–2010) | 2014 | Law | The wife of Singapore's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, the pair (along with Lee's brother) co-founded Lee & Lee, which became of one of the largest law firms in Singapore. She was also a founding figure in the People's Action Party, and helped draft its constitution. [97] |
Kwan Shan Mei | (1922–2012) | 2021 | Arts/Culture/Media | Illustrator of children's books, arts educator. [98] |
Lai Siu Chiu | (1948–) | 2016 | Law | The first woman to serve on the Singapore Supreme Court. [99] |
Lam Lay Yong | (1936–) | 2014 | Science/technology | An authority on the history of Chinese Mathematics, she was the first person from Asia to win the Kenneth O. May Prize. [100] |
Lee Suet Fern | (1958–) | 2014 | Law | The founder of the Stamford Law Corporation, a significant player in the mergers and acquisitions business, she also served as the President of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association and the corporate boards of several Fortune 100 companies. [101] |
Leo Yee Sin | (1959–) | 2022 | Health | Leader in the fight against infectious disease. [45] |
Lily Kong | (1965–) | 2022 | Education | First Singaporean woman to head a Singapore university. [45] |
Lim Soo Hoon | (1959–) | 2014 | Government | The first woman Permanent Secretary in Singapore, she served in leadership positions across Singapore's civil service, especially in the areas of transport and community development. [102] |
Laurentia Tan | (1979–) | 2014 | Sports | The most decorated paralympian from Singapore, she won two medals in each of the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, all in dressage. [103] |
Li Lienfung | (1923–2011) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A newspaper columnist, novelist, and playwright, her work received awards from the National Book Development Council and the Culture Ministry. [104] |
Lucy Wan | (1933–2017) | 2014 | Science/technology | She was the first woman to earn a doctorate in pharmacy from the National University of Singapore, she would go on to teach at the program for 40 years, leading it for six. [105] |
Leaena Tambyah | (1937–2023) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | A social worker and advocate for youth with special needs, she created the Handicapped Children's Playgroup, which was awarded the United Nations Community Excellence Award. [106] |
Liew Yuen Sien | (1901–1975) | 2019 | Education | Principal of the Nanyang Girls' School. [107] |
Lim Hwee Hua | (1959–) | 2014 * | Government | She was the first female Deputy Speaker of Parliament and the first female Cabinet Minister in Singapore. [108] |
Lynnette Seah | (1957–) | 2015 | Arts/culture/entertainment | A Cultural Medallion-winning violinist, she was a founding member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, which she co-leads. [109] |
Lee Choo Neo | (1895–1947) | 2014 | Health | She was the first practicing woman doctor in what would become Singapore. Together with two other women, she created the Chinese Marriage Committee, which produced a report that would come to be influential in the passage of the Women's Charter. [110] |
Lim Sok Bee | (1963–) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | The first woman commander of an artillery battalion, she eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant colonel and served as the Wing Commander at the Officer Cadet School. [111] |
Mae Noeline Oehlers | (1916–1987) | 2021 | Sports | Hockey player, first Singaporean principal at Raffles Girls School, educator. [112] |
Maggie Lim | (1913–1995) | 2014 | Health | A doctor and family planning and reproductive rights advocate, she was the first girl in Singapore to win the Queen's Scholarship. [113] |
Margaret Leng Tan | (1945–) | 2014 | Arts | Toy piano virtuoso. [114] |
Maria Dyer | (1803–1845) | 2014 * | Education | A British missionary, in 1842 she founded St. Margaret's School, the first school for girls in East Asia. The institution took in and educated poor girls, preventing them from becoming Mui Tsai. [115] |
Marjorie Doggett | (1921–2010) | 2017 | Advocacy & Activism | Animal rights advocate. [116] |
Mary Beatrice Klass | (1935–) | 2016 | Sports | Pioneering athlete and one of two women at the 1956 Olympics. [117] |
Mary Quintal | (1930–) | 2014 | Uniformed professions | The first woman Assistant Superintendent of Police in Singapore, she was also the force's first female Inspector. [118] |
May Wong | (1899–1989) | 2016 | Community/social work | Lifelong social worker and fund-raiser. [119] |
Miranda Yap | (1948–2015) | 2018 | Science/technology | Pioneer biomedical scientist. [120] |
Mozelle Nissim | (1883–1975) | 2018 | Community/social work | Jewish philanthropist and community leader. [121] |
Myrna Braga-Blake | (1935–2019) | 2021 | Community/Social Work | Pioneer in social work, educator. Helped set up services for victims of domestic violence and trained social workers. [122] |
Nalla Tan | (1923–2012) | 2015 | Education | Writer and advocate for sex and public health education. [123] |
Neila Sathyalingam | (1938–2017) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | Leading teacher of Indian classical dance in Singapore. [124] |
Noeleen Heyzer | (1948–) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | As the leader of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), she has worked on regional poverty alleviation, societal, and environmental programs. She has also led the United Nations Development Fund for Women and other UN initiatives. [125] |
Nona Asiah | (1931–2024) | 2022 | Media and Entertainment | An icon of Malay music and film in the 1950s and 1960s. [45] |
Olivia Lum | (1961–) | 2014 | Business & Enterprise | Founder of Hyflux. [126] |
Oon Chiew Seng | (1916–2022) | 2014 | Health | Founder of the first nursing home for dementia patients. [127] |
Patricia Chan Li-Yin | (1954–) | 2014 | Sports | Trailblazing swimmer and Singapore’s first Golden Girl. [128] |
Phan Wait Hong | (1914–2016) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment | Called "grande dame of Beijing opera in Singapore", she moved to Singapore at age 14 as part of an opera troupe. She performed regularly until the age of 82, and gave a limited number of performances for a decade afterwards. [129] |
Phyllis Eu Cheng Li | (1914–2004) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | Elected to the Municipal Commission (now the City Council) in 1949, she was the first woman in Singapore to be elected to a government office. [130] |
Phyllis Tan Poh Lian | (1933–) | 2018 | Law | Lawyer and first woman to lead a law society in Singapore. |
Puan Noor Aishah | (1933–) | 2018 | Community/social work | The first First Lady in Singapore. [131] |
Rahimah Rahim | (1955–) | 2017 | Arts/Culture/Entertainment/Media | Singer who is known as "Singapore's first Lady of Song." [132] |
Ruth Wong Hie King | (1918–1982) | 2014 | Education | Pioneering educator who transformed teacher training in Singapore. [133] |
Santha Bhaskar | (1939–2022) | 2021 | Arts/Media/Culture | Dancer and choreographer. [134] |
Sarah Winstedt | (1886–1972) | 2014 | Health | Physician and surgeon who served with the Colonial Medical Service in British Malaya. [135] |
Shirin Fozdar | (1905–1992) | 2014 * | Advocacy & activism | A women's rights activist, she played a major role in the establishment of the Singapore Council of Women and the creation of the Syariah Court. [136] |
Singapore Women's Everest Team | — | 2014 | Adventurers & explorers | Jane Lee, Sim Yihui, Joanne Soo, Lee Peh Gee, Lee Li Hui, and Esther Tan – nation's first all-women mountain climbing team – attempted to scale Mount Everest, with all but Sim reaching the summit. [137] |
Seow Peck Leng | (1911–2007) | 2014 | Advocacy & activism | An educator and politician, she founded the Siglap Girls' Club for the benefit of underprivileged girls, and pushed for gender equality as a member of the Legislative Assembly. [138] |
Sophia Blackmore | (1857–1927) | 2014 | Education | Founder of Methodist Girls’ School. [139] |
Sophia Pang | (1972–) | 2014 | Adventurers & explorers | Traveling as part of the 2009 Kaspersky Commonwealth Antarctic Expedition, she became the first Singaporean woman to reach the South Pole. [140] |
Mathilde Raclot | (1814–1911) | 2014 | Education | Founder of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus schools. [141] |
Stella Kon | (1944–) | 2014 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | Award winning writer, best known for Emily of Emerald Hill. [142] |
Suchen Christine Lim | (1948–) | 2014 | Arts & Culture | Award-winning novelist. [143] |
Sudha Nair | (1957–) | 2022 | Community/Social work | Pioneering social worker and family violence specialist. [45] |
Sylvia Kho | (1917–2013) | 2017 | Business & Enterprise | Pioneering bridal gown designer and entrepreneur. [144] |
Tan Cheng Hiong | (1904–1999) | 2016 | Advocacy & activism | Women's rights activist, and first president of the Singapore Council of Women. [145] |
Tan Chew Neo | (1898–1986) | 2015 | Community/Social Work | Pioneering community worker. [146] |
Tan Sau Fun | (1931–2011) | 2014 | Science/Technology | First and only female professor of chemistry in Singapore. [147] |
Tan Teck Neo | (1877–1978) | 2018 | Community/social work | Community leader, philanthropist and advocate for women in the public space. [148] |
Tan Yoon Yin | (1929–2023) | 2016 | Sports | Founder of Singapore Women’s Netball Association. [149] |
Tang Pui Wah | (1933–) | 2014 | Sports | Hurdler and Singapore’s first female Olympian. [150] |
Theresa Poh Lin Chan | (1943–2016) | 2014 | Education | The Helen Keller of Southeast Asia. [151] |
Teo Ah Hong | (1953–2020) | 2021 | Uniformed Professions | First woman to qualify as a commercial pilot. [152] |
Teo Soon Kim | (1904–1978) | 2014 | Law | First woman to be admitted to the Singapore bar. [153] |
Teresa Hsu Chih | (1898–2014) | 2014 | Community/social work | One of the most beloved social workers in Singapore. [154] |
Tham Yew Chin | (1950–) | 2019 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | One of the best-known writers from Singapore in China. [155] |
Theresa Poh Lin Chan | (1943–2016) | 2014 | Education | The Helen Keller of Southeast Asia. [156] |
Theresa Foo | (1943–) | 2014 | Business & Enterprise | First Asian female chief executive at Standard Chartered Bank. [157] |
Theresa Goh | (1987–) | 2014 | Sports | Pioneering Paralympic swimmer and advocate for disability sports. [158] |
Thung Syn Neo | (1932–) | 2014 | Community/Social Work | Pioneering social worker and key mover behind the Family Service Centre initiative. [159] |
Violet Oon | (1949–) | 2016 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | Advocate and champion for Singaporean cuisine. [160] |
Wong-Lee Siok Tin | (1938–1993) | 2017 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | English-language journalist and broadcaster. [161] |
Yang Chang Man | (1944–) | 2018 | Environment/conservation | Zoologist, curator and woman who saved the priceless Raffles Collection. [162] |
Yip Pin Xiu | (1991–) | 2014 | Sports | Singapore’s first Olympic-level gold medal winner. [163] |
Yu-Foo Yee Shoon | (1950–) | 2014 * | Government | She was both one of the first women in the Parliament of Singapore and the nation's first female mayor. [164] |
Yuen Peng McNeice | (1917–2012) | 2015 | Environment/Conservation | Philanthropist and pioneering conservationist. [165] |
Zahrah Za'ba | (1920–1988) | 2019 | Arts/culture/entertainment/media | Writer and pioneer in Malay radio broadcasting. [166] |
Zena Clarke Tessensohn | (1909–1996) | 2018 | Sports | One of the 12 founders of the Girls Sports Club (GSC). [167] |
Zuraidah Abdullah | (1962–) | 2014 | Uniformed Professions | First woman to become a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police. [168] |
Lee Kuan Yew, often referred to by his initials LKY, was a Singaporean statesman and lawyer who served as the first prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. He served as the secretary-general of the People's Action Party (PAP) from 1954 to 1992 and was the member of Parliament (MP) for Tanjong Pagar from 1955 until his death in 2015. Lee is widely recognised as the founding father of the modern Singaporean state, and for his leadership in transforming it into a highly developed country during his tenure.
The People's Action Party (PAP) is a major conservative political party of the centre-right in Singapore. It is one of the three contemporary political parties represented in the Parliament of Singapore, alongside the opposition Workers' Party (WP) and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
Goh Chok Tong is a Singaporean former politician who served as the second prime minister of Singapore from 1990 to 2004 and as a senior minister of Singapore from 2004 to 2011. He served as the secretary-general of the People's Action Party (PAP) from 1992 to 2004 and was the member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade SMC from 1976 to 1988, and Marine Parade GRC from 1988 to 2020.
Ho Ching (Chinese: 何晶; pinyin: Hé Jīng; Wade–Giles: Ho2 Ching1; Cantonese Yale: Hòh Jīng; born 27 March 1953) is a Singaporean businesswoman.
Raffles Girls' School (RGS) is an independent girls' secondary school located in Braddell, Singapore. Established in 1879, it is one of the oldest schools in Singapore. RGS, together with its affiliated school Raffles Institution, offers a six-year Raffles Programme, which allows students to skip the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examinations and proceed to take the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examinations at the end of Year 6.
Crimewatch is a Singaporean television programme produced by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) in collaboration with the Singapore Police Force (SPF). It is aired on Mediacorp's Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria and Vasantham.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is a symphony orchestra based in Singapore. It is Singapore's flagship orchestra. Its principal concert venue is the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. The orchestra also gives concerts at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, and performs over 60 concerts per year. The orchestra was first established In 1978 with Choo Hoey its resident director. The orchestra's music director from 1997 to 2019 was Shui Lan, and Hans Graf its Chief Conductor from 2020 and Music Director from 2022. The SSO is part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Choruses, the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO), the VCHpresents chamber music series, the Singapore International Piano Festival and the biennial National Piano and Violin Competition. It achieved third place in 2021 for Gramophone's Orchestra of the Year award, and made the list of the BBC Music Magazine's Top 21 Best Orchestras in the World in 2022 and 2023.
Lim Hwee Hua is a Singaporean former politician who served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Transport concurrently between 2009 and 2011. A former member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), she was the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Serangoon division of Aljunied GRC between 2006 and 2011, and Marine Parade GRC between 1996 and 2006.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay is a Malaysian Chinese billionaire businessman. He is the chairman of Genting Group, a casinos, resorts and palm oil conglomerate with a market capitalization of almost MYR40 billion, and the second son of fellow billionaire Lim Goh Tong, the company's founder.
Tan Wee Kiong is a Malaysian badminton player in the doubles event. He had a partnership with Goh V Shem, which began at the 2014 Thomas Cup. Together, Tan and Goh won the gold medal in the men's doubles and the mixed team event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. They also won bronze at the 2014 Asian Games. In their Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, they won the silver medal, becoming the first Malaysian pair to achieve such a feat since 1996. In November 2016, they reached a career-high ranking of world number 1, making them the fifth ever Malaysian men's doubles pair to do so, after Razif Sidek and Jalani Sidek, followed by Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng, and Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.
Goh V Shem is a Malaysian badminton player in the doubles event. He was partnered with Tan Wee Kiong after their outstanding performance at the 2014 Thomas Cup. Together, Goh and Tan won the gold medal for the men's doubles event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as all their matches in the mixed team event, helping Malaysia retain the gold medal for the third consecutive time. They also won the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games and the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, thus making them the second ever Malaysian men's doubles pair to win the silver medal at the Olympic Games 20 years after the feat was achieved by Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock in 1996 Atlanta. Goh and Tan are also the fifth Malaysian men's doubles pair to hold the world number 1 ranking after Razif Sidek and Jalani Sidek, followed by Cheah and Yap, Chan Chong Ming and Chew Choon Eng, and later on by Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong ever since official rankings were kept in the 80s.
The following lists events that happened during 2015 in the Republic of Singapore.
Tan Chye Cheng, also known as C. C. Tan, was a Singaporean lawyer and politician.
The 13th Parliament of Singapore was a meeting of the Parliament of Singapore. The first session commenced on 15 January 2016 and was dissolved on 23 June 2020. The membership was set by the 2015 Singapore General Election on 11 September 2015, and changed twice throughout the term; one was the resignation of Bukit Batok Single Member Constituency MP David Ong in 2016, and the resignation of Marsiling–Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency MP and Speaker Halimah Yacob in 2017.
Les Amis is a fine-dining restaurant in Singapore serving French cuisine. The restaurant opened in 1994 as the flagship of the Les Amis Group. It received its third Michelin star in 2019.
Tan See Leng is a Singaporean politician and former medical practitioner who has been serving as Minister for Manpower since 2021 and Second Minister for Trade and Industry since 2020. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he has been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Marine Parade division of Marine Parade GRC since 2020.
The Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) is an umbrella organisation founded in 1980 in order to coordinate the efforts of women's groups in Singapore. The organisation represents many diverse women's groups and advocates for women's rights in the country. SCWO is also responsible for the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame, provides workshops and other events in Singapore.
Carrie Tan Huimin is a Singaporean politician. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Nee Soon South division of Nee Soon GRC since 2020.
Cynthia Goh was a pioneer of palliative care in Singapore. She served as the chairman of the Singapore Hospice Council and the co-chairman of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, and was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.
By 2010, there were nine honourees – Chan Choy Siong, Elizabeth Choy, Hajjah Fatimah, Maria Dyer, Seow Peck Leng, Shirin Fozdar, Julie Tan, Lim Hwee Hua and Yu-Foo Yee Shoon.