Singapore Women's Hall of Fame

Mui Tsais (known as 'little sister' in Cantonese), were domestic servants who were often brought into the system as young girls. Mui Tsais were put to work in private homes and brothels.

Mui Tsai trafficking was a rampant problem and deemed as slavery by British colonials. Finally, in 1932, Singapore ruled the acquisition of these women illegal.

Check out more amazing milestones that shaped women’s lives in Singapore - https://www.swhf.sg/milestones.

Learn about the history of women through our roving exhibitions to schools and organisations. We invite you to celebrate the milestones and look forward to a future where more women will be seen and heard.

Curious to learn their stories? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Under her expertise, she greatly expanded the number of public libraries and even established a mobile library service in Singapore.

A strong advocate for women's rights, Hedwig also helped found AWARE in 1985 and subsequently served as the organisation's president.

Find out more about her contributions to Singapore: https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/hedwig-anuar

In the early 19th century, the lives of women were still mainly home-bound. Checha Davies, a social worker and activist, decided to start the Lotus Club (now known as the Kamala Club).

The club gave South Asian women the opportunity to socialise, attend talks and carry out activities. Soon, many women from different religions, ethnic groups and cultures came together in earnest.

Check out more amazing milestones that shaped women’s lives in Singapore - https://www.swhf.sg/milestones

SWHF takes its roving exhibitions to schools, organisations and public partners. We are always grateful for the support and the enthusiasm to learn more about the Awesome Women of Singapore.

Keen to discover the stories and lives of women in Singapore? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Cheong Koon Hean was one of the brilliant minds behind the planning of Singapore's iconic Marina Bay area.

She was the first woman to head the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and later, the Housing Development Board (HDB). She is also passionate about sustainable living and hopes to build more green and community-centric living spaces in Singapore.

Find out how Koon Hean transformed Singapore's incredible city and housing landscape at https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/cheong-koon-hean.

Thank you for the HUGE support over the past weekend at SCWO's Open House: A Night to Remember at the Singapore Night Festival!

If you're keen to learn more about the Awesome women of Singapore, let us take you around the Bras Basah-Bugis neighbourhood this weekend where we share more about their historic feats and see them in a different light! 🌙✨

Limited spaces left - book your slot today! bit.ly/HeritageNightWalk

Since as early as the 14th century, Southeast Asia's rich trade industry has been rife with prostitution and the commercial s*x trade.

The 1930 Women and Girls’ Protection Ordinance became one of the first meaningful steps towards protecting women and underaged girls.

Check out more amazing milestones that shaped women’s lives in Singapore - https://www.swhf.sg/milestones

As Singapore transformed into a financial hub, Elizabeth Sam was one of the Awesome women who worked hard behind the scenes to make it happen.

Her work at the Ministry of Finance, Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) helped to expand the financial markets in Singapore.

Find out more about her contributions to Singapore: https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/elizabeth-sam

At a time where career options for women were scarce, Teo Soon Kim was determined to become a lawyer - something no woman in Singapore had done before.

She was eventually admitted to not one, but three different bars across the globe.

She was the first female barrister in present-day Singapore and Hong Kong, and just the third Malayan Chinese woman to be admitted to the bar in England and Wales.

Check out more amazing milestones that shaped women’s lives in Singapore - https://www.swhf.sg/milestones

Project Awesome brings women's stories to schools and inspire girls everywhere to DARE TO DREAM.

Learn more about our Hall of Fame inductees and the history of women in Singapore through Project Awesome - drop us an email at [email protected].

Our President, Halimah Yacob is a trailblazer in Singapore politics. In 2001, she was the first Malay woman to be elected to Singapore’s Parliament when she won a seat in Jurong GRC. Twelve years later, she became the first woman to be Speaker of the Singapore Parliament. In September 2017, she became Singapore’s first woman President.

Find out more about her contributions to Singapore: https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/halimah-yacob

On behalf of our individual programmes, initiatives and services, Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) wishes Singapore a very happy 57th Birthday! We love you, Singapore!

Dr Charlotte Elizabeth Ferguson-Davie, a physician and medical missionary, set up the St. Andrew Medical Mission for the poor and disadvantaged and later opened a hospital for women and children.

Notably, it offered crucial healthcare services for women suffering from s*xually-transmitted diseases in a time where prostitution was a daily reality for many.

Check out more amazing milestones that shaped women’s lives in Singapore - https://www.swhf.sg/milestones

We'd like to thank members of Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church who joined us recently on our Heritage Walk to learn about the influential women in Singapore's history.

Are YOU keen to book a Heritage Walk with us? Do reach out to us at [email protected].

This August, we commemorate the Awesome women who have helped shaped our island country in powerful ways.

Meet the first woman to be elected to public office in Singapore: Phyllis Eu.

Phyllis was elected into the Municipal Commission of Singapore from 1949-1947. During her time in office, she worked to involve women in politics, fought for consumers’ rights and pushed for clinics to offer family planning advice.

Find out more about Phyllis' work: https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/phyllis-eu-cheng-li

British missionary Sophia Cooke made her way to Singapore to establish the Young Woman's Christian Association (YWCA) in 1875.

The YWCA provided classes and support groups to develop women's lives.

Today, YWCA is still committed to meeting the needs of Women through active involvement in community services and its programmes and activities.

Find out more about the amazing and awesome milestones that shaped women’s lives today! https://www.swhf.sg/milestones/

We bring Project Awesome to schools and share the stories of Awesome women because we believe everyone can and should pursue their dreams.

During a recent school visit, Lim Sok Bee spoke to students about her distinguished career in the Singapore Armed Forces and what being a leader amongst men meant to her.

Her determination inspires us all!

Find out more about Project Awesome! https://awesome.swhf.sg

Nona Asiah, Singapore’s “First Lady of Entertainment”, did not make her mark only on stage. She explored other areas that interested her, such as fashion!

She designed and sewed many traditional outfits for singers and actors during her time, including Saloma, Kartina Dahari, Julie Sudiro, and Momo Latiff.

Do you dare chase your dreams?

Find out more about Nona Asiah >>
https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/nona-asiah/

In 1854, The Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) opened its doors on Victoria Street. Reverend Mother St Mathilde Raclot, the key founder of the school, subsequently started an orphanage and a home for abandoned babies.

Today, there are 11 CHIJ schools providing education to young women in Singapore.

It was a significant milestone in herstory.

Find out more about the amazing and awesome milestones that shaped women’s lives today. https://www.swhf.sg/milestones/

Project Awesome's roving exhibitions bring the stories of our Awesome Women to the schools to encourage students to take action and dream big.

Today, there are 174 women inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame, each with a story to tell.

If you're an educator keen on bringing Project Awesome's inspiring and motivational AWESOME WOMEN to speak about her journey and share her story with your students, GET IN TOUCH WITH US!

https://linktr.ee/swhfsg

Nona Asiah stepped up from the traditional role of being a woman.

Marriage and parenthood did not stop her from being independent and pursuing her career.

Nona Asiah was not only talented but also financially independent, rare for a woman in her time.

How can YOU shape your future today?

Find out more about Nona Asiah >> https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/nona-asiah/

Have you seen the Hajjah Fatimah Mosque? Located along Beach Road in Singapore, it is one of only a few mosques named after women.

In 1846, Hajjah Fatimah, a Singaporean merchant and philanthropist, commissioned the creation of the mosque along with homes for the poor nearby.

Find out more about the amazing and awesome milestones that shaped women’s lives today! https://www.swhf.sg/milestones/

We would like to thank all who have joined us at our exhibition at National Museum of Singapore earlier this year (18 January – 1 April) to learn more about The Lives of Women!

Congratulations to the following 10 winners who have attempted our Weekly Quiz – you will each receive a $20 Kinokuniya voucher! Please check the email you have provided in the quiz for more details.

If your name and detail is listed but you have yet to receive an email from us, please send us a direct message to this account.

We hope to see you at our future exhibitions and events! Stay tuned 😊

Through Project Awesome, we bring the stories of our Awesome Women from the Singapore Hall Of Fame into schools, inspiring young minds to be just as AWESOME!

Lim Sok Bee, the first woman to command an artillery battalion in the Singapore Armed Forces, is one of these AWESOME WOMEN you will get to meet.

At a recent school visit, she spoke to students at a leadership camp about what it takes to take on the challenge and lead others by example.

Find out more about Project Awesome - https://awesome.swhf.sg

In loving memory of Dr Gloria Lim, who passed away Monday, 11 July at the age of 92. Dr Lim dedicated her work to the study of fungal biology and was also the first woman member of the Public Service Commission in Singapore.

She was one of the inaugural inductees of the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.

https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/gloria-lim

Nona Asiah was a nurturer of young talent, teaching children not just to sing but also to perform and entertain with confidence.

She mentored many who would become leading names in Malay entertainment, the best-known being singer, host, and producer Najip Ali.

Her five children grew up immersed in music. Two of them – the late Iskandar Mirza Ismail, awarded the Cultural Medallion in 2008, and Indra Shahrir Ismail – went on to build illustrious careers in Singapore’s music industry.

Nona knew she had a passion for media and entertainment from a young age. Not only was she brilliant in her art, but she was also compassionate in sharing it by teaching children and becoming a mentor.

You might not know what your talents are YET, but how passionate are you in the act of giving?

Find out more about Nona Asiah >>
https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/nona-asiah/

ʟᴏᴏᴋɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴀᴛ ᴀ ᴅᴀʏ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀꜱᴛᴏʀʏ, Raffles Institution introduced a new section in the school.

They became Singapore's first existing institution to enrol girls, with 11 female students enrolled in 1844.

Later, In 1879, the girls' wing of the school was established as a separate but affiliated school - Raffles Girls' School.

Find out more about the amazing and awesome milestones that shaped women’s lives today! https://www.swhf.sg/milestones/

Marymount Convent has a dedicated space featuring awesome women in their version of the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame gallery. We are impressed and delighted by their efforts to honour these women and to inspire the younger generations, who WILL shape our future!

It was a sweet return for Anastasia Gan, who visited her alma mater recently to talk about Project Awesome and other Awesome Women of Singapore.

The girls were thrilled and buzzing with questions for Anastasia. We’re glad we managed to inspire and motivate the girls of Marymount Convent to dream big and achieve the seemingly impossible.

Find out more about Project Awesome! https://awesome.swhf.sg

At 16, Nona Asiah was hired by Radio Malaya as a singer, narrator and host.

Initially, she worked on radio programmes for children and progressed to a weekly programme where she sang Malay and Indonesian songs requested by listeners.

Nona was one of the first local singers to be signed by HMV.

Nona made her mark as a famous singer. Nona was heard.

You can be too.

Find out more about Nona Asiah >>
https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/nona-asiah/

A day in Herstory, the first girls’ school in Singapore and East Asia was founded by Maria Tarn Dyer.

Initially known as the Chinese Girls’ School, it was set up in a North Bridge Road shophouse.

After the Second World War, the school changed its name into what it is known by today: St Margaret’s School!

Find out more about the amazing and awesome milestones that shaped women’s lives today! https://www.swhf.sg/milestones/

Project Awesome’s main objective is to inspire girls (and boys) to achieve more than they can dream!

Take for instance, Anastasia Gan, who never thought she could ever be a pilot. Yet, here she is as the first commercial female pilot in Singapore.

If you limit your dreams, how will you touch the sky?

Find out more about Project Awesome! https://awesome.swhf.sg/

Nona Asiah, or Mak Nona as she is affectionately known, is an awesome woman, because she made a difference in a time when women were only seen and not heard.

Nona Asiah made a remarkable career for herself.

What are you passionate about?

Find out more about Nona Asiah >>
https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/nona-asiah/

Meet the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame’s 2022 Inductees!

Kee Bee Khim, a pioneer of women’s golf in Singapore, dominated the local and regional fairways for nearly three decades. In 1970, aged just 18, Bee Khim became the Singapore Island Country Club’s women’s champion – the first Asian to win the title since the tournament began in 1963.

At the peak of her career, Bee Khim beat some of the best female amateur golfers from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines in the 1978 Colgate Far East Open. At the time, few Asians were good at golf and Bee Khim was keeping the Asian flag flying. In the three decades that she reigned over local and regional fairways, Bee Khim, or Queen Bee as she is sometimes referred to, helped to transform the face of golf in Singapore, inspiring generations of young women to try their hand at the sport.

Read Kee Bee Khim’s full profile at https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/kee-bee-khim/

Glad to hear the stories of the new inductees, including what motivates them over the years.

MCI Photo by Liu Ying

Meet the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame’s 2022 Inductees!

Nona Asiah was a household name during the 1950s and 1960s when she was a radio host and a voice-over singer for Malay films. Dubbed ‘The First Lady of Entertainment’, her singing voice was featured in many films produced by Singapore’s two major studios at that time, Malay Film Productions and Cathay-Keris. At her peak, Asiah was in much demand in the region and often travelled with an orchestra to perform at concerts. Asiah retired from performing in the 1970s and became a nurturer of young talent, teaching children not just to sing but also to perform and entertain with confidence. She mentored many who would become leading names in Malay entertainment.

Read Nona Asiah’s full profile at https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/nona-asiah/

Our condolences to the family of Prof Cynthia Goh, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer on 13 February 2022. Prof Goh, a pioneer in palliative care in Singapore, was inducted to the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.

https://www.swhf.sg/profiles/cynthia-goh/