March 27, 2015 – Eleven outstanding women will be inducted to the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame tonight at a gala dinner to mark International Women’s Day and to celebrate the many contributions of women to Singapore’s development.
The honourees this year are:
- Agnes Joaquim, the first woman in the world to breed a hybrid orchid
- Tan Chew Neo, pioneering community worker
- Ellice Handy, culinary pioneer and educator
- Chua Jim Neo, author of the definitive Mrs Lee’s Cookbook
- Yuen Peng McNeice, philanthropist and pioneering conservationist
- Nalla Tan, pioneering advocate for sex and public health education
- Janet Yee, pioneering social worker and advocate of children’s rights
- Constance Singam, champion of civil society
- Kartina Dahari, award-winning singer known as the Queen of Keroncong
- Bridget Tan, champion of the rights of migrant workers
- Koh Chai Hong, trailblazer in the Singapore Armed Forces.
At the gala dinner, the 11 women or their representatives will be presented with The Flame, a trophy symbolising the vitality of the women in the Hall of Fame and the torch of inspiration that is passed from one generation to another.
The Guest of Honour at the dinner will be Mdm Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament, who was herself inducted to the Hall of Fame (SWHF) in 2014. The SWHF was launched in March 2014 with 108 women being honoured for their achievements and contributions to Singapore.
As a mark of respect for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, there will be a minute’s silence at the start of the dinner. In addition, a condolence book will be available for dinner guests to sign. The planned entertainment for the night has been cancelled, and 2 dinner guests, a violinist and a guitarist, will instead play a few pieces of music.
About the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame (www.swhf.sg)
The Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame was launched on 14th March 2014 with 108 Inaugural honourees. Their achievements spanned two centuries and 13 fields of endeavour, ranging from the philanthropy of 19th century businesswoman Hajjah Fatimah Sulaiman to the sporting prowess of Singapore’s women Olympians and Paralympians in the 21st century. The aim of the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame is to recognise and celebrate the many contributions of women to Singapore’s development. Information about the inductees and the selection process is available at the SWHF website – www.swhf.sg For the second year running, Citi is the Presenting Sponsor for the SWHF. The banking organisation has made a three-year commitment to supporting the SWHF.
About SCWO
The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) is the National Coordinating body of women’s organisations in Singapore. Our 57 member organisations represent more than 500,000 women in Singapore. Incorporated in March 1980, the SCWO serves to unite the various organisations, clubs, committees, groups and women leaders together working in accordance with its various aims and objectives. The Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations seeks to coordinate these associations into a national movement and to act on their behalf in matters for which it is authorised by its members. It seeks to promote the ideals of “Equal Space, Equal Voice and Equal Worth” for women in Singapore.
CONTACT INFO:
Amanda Ho, PR & Marketing
Tel: (O) 6571 0182 (M) 9634 5322
Email: amanda@scwo.org.sg
SCWO Centre, 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967 | Tel: 6837 0611 | Fax: 6837 0081 | www.scwo.org.sg