THE ORCHID GARDEN

A special space for tributes to the most important women in our lives.
Mothers, grandmothers, nannies, teachers, friends – whoever they are, these are the women who inspire and guide us.
Also listed in The Orchid Garden are the women who have been honoured by organisations and publications in annual awards.

Annabel Pennefather

Woman of the Year 2004
Lawyer and Vice President, Singapore National Olympic Council
Her father was the hockey captain who took Singapore to the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne and her mother was a national hockey player. So naturally, Ms Pennefather started playing hockey at the age of five and was captain of her school’s hockey team.

She was legal consultant, and head of Singapore’s first dedicated sports law practice at Harry Elias partnership in 2004, while her other day job was being a sports administrator. Her efforts earned her the prestigious Asian “Women and Sport” trophy from the International Olympic Committee, that recognised her efforts of getting more women into sports.

For 25 years, she had advised the government on groundbreaking changes to property law. She also served as chairman of the CHIJ school board and vice-president of the Law Society. She co-chaired the Women and Sport Group after attending an inspirational women and sports conference in Lausanne, and was Singapore’s sports ambassador for a period of time.

Official website

Annabel Pennefather

Woman of the Year 2004
Lawyer and Vice President, Singapore National Olympic Council
Her father was the hockey captain who took Singapore to the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne and her mother was a national hockey player. So naturally, Ms Pennefather started playing hockey at the age of five and was captain of her school’s hockey team.

She was legal consultant, and head of Singapore’s first dedicated sports law practice at Harry Elias partnership in 2004, while her other day job was being a sports administrator. Her efforts earned her the prestigious Asian “Women and Sport” trophy from the International Olympic Committee, that recognised her efforts of getting more women into sports.

For 25 years, she had advised the government on groundbreaking changes to property law. She also served as chairman of the CHIJ school board and vice-president of the Law Society. She co-chaired the Women and Sport Group after attending an inspirational women and sports conference in Lausanne, and was Singapore’s sports ambassador for a period of time.

Official website

Profile last updated: 25th February 2021