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In 2005, SCWO launched the Wall of Fame to honour the significant contributions of pioneering women activists that had helped shaped the landscape of female advancement in Singapore. The objective of this initiative is to create awareness and allow their examples, achievements and endowment of philanthropy to be remembered.
It is important that we remember those who opened up possibilities that we enjoy today, those who cleared paths for us and opened otherwise closed doors. We need to remember the changes that have taken place , not only because we owe it to those who went before, but also in order to bring a sharper focus to our own understanding of present circumstances and a greater discernment in our appreciation of what still needs to be done to continue the good work.
There have been many powerful and passionate women whose struggles and achievements should be taught in schools, and stories of their deeds told to our children. The Wall of Fame is SCWO’s contribution to the process of remembrance and education. It will help both men and women be acquainted with our shared history.
SCWO inducted 6 passionate pioneers in 2005 and another unique lady in 2009, and this year, we are inducting 2 more outstanding women to our Wall. We strive to induct a new candidate every 2 years to commemorate women who are dedicated to the empowerment of women, and actualisation of equality for women. They serve as a reminder and an inspiration to all.
Criteria
Criteria for consideration for selection to the SCWO Wall of Fame:
A woman who:
- Actively supports and promotes social justice and equality, safe living environment, social rights and independence
- Provides education for self-improvement and self-sufficiency
- Paves the way for other women to excel
- Initiates and drives programmes for the advancement of women.
A Wall of Fame committee is established and nominates several women.
The board of SCWO will then select 2 or 3 per year to be honoured on our Wall Of Fame.
INDUCTEES
 Madam Chan Choy Siong
Pioneer political activist
A pioneer political activist and one of the small minority of women in the political arena, Mdm Chan was a steadfast champion of the rights of women in Singapore in her positions as City Councillor, to which she was elected in 1957, and as Member of Parliament for Delta, 1959 – 1970.
She also led the PAP Women’s League when it was set up in 1956. Her key contributions included playing a pivotal role in campaigning for the Women’s Charter, passed in 1961.
 Mrs Elizabeth Choy
War heroine and legislator
War heroine and legislator, Mrs Choy endured severe torture during the Japanese Occupation for her role in supplying food to British prisoners-of-war. After the war, she became the first and only woman to be nominated to the Legislative Council.
A teacher by profession, she established the Singapore School for the Blind in 1956 and served as its principle for the next four years.
Mrs Choy is an icon of the strength and resilience of women in Singapore.
Hajjah Fatimah
Entrepreneur and philanthropist
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Hajjah Fatimah was first woman to have a mosque named in her honour in Singapore. After she escaped unharmed in robbery attempts at her residence, she contributed the land next to her home to build the mosque in gratitude.
The Hajjah Fatimah Mosque was completed in 1846.
 Mrs Maria Dyer
Founder of St. Margaret’s Secondary School
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Observing the plight of young girls sold into slavery in Singapore while she was en route to China in 1842, Mrs Dyer decided to help them by setting up a girls’ school to provide them with a better future. The result of her efforts was the first girls’ school in Singapore, the Chinese Girls’ School, which would later became St. Margaret’s Secondary School, as it is known today.
She arrived in Asia as part of the London Missionary Society, whose work also extended into Malaysia and China.
 Mrs Seow Peck Leng
Founder of the Singapore Women’s Association
A founder of the Singapore Women’s Association in 1956 and the first Singaporean to be elected President of the Federation of Asian Women’s Associations, representing women in Asia, Mrs Seow served the community in teaching, charity efforts and social work.
She was dedicated to advancing the status of women in Singapore, and was the first and only female opposition member to be elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1959.
 Mrs Shirin Fozdar
Founder of the Singapore Council of Women
A founder of the Singapore Council of Women in 1952, Mrs Fozdar initiated the establishment of the Shariah Court which was formed in 1958 and led to a dramatic decrease in divorce amongst Muslim families.
She worked tirelessly in advocating for women’s rights and played a key role in getting the Women’s Charter enacted in 1961, and the Inheritance (Family Provisions) Act, in 1966. Her life was motivated by the principle of “equality of opportunity for men and women”, a tenet of the Baha’i Faith.
 Julie Tan Eng Poh
Visionary Leader - Founding Member and 1st President of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations and DEW Credit Co-Operative
She was a passionate and dynamic leader who championed the cause of womens’ rights and the less fortunate. Starting as a devoted volunteer for YWCA then serving as their President, Julie initiated projects to ensure that women, the elderly, and less fortunate had equal access to education and a better life.
She was a visionary who stood up during the 1970’s and spoke up for the need to empower women to take control of their finances and life. She was one of the founding members of Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations and was elected as its first President.
She was also instrumental in the establishment of D.E.W Credit Co-operative, the only credit union for women in Singapore, promoting women’s financial independence. Julie Tan remained as D.E.W Credit’s president until her bereavement in 1995.
In 2010, SCWO inducted two more outstanding women to the Wall of Fame:
 Mrs Lim Hwee Hua
First Woman Cabinet Minister
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua is the first woman to be appointed a Cabinet Minister in Singapore. In April 2009, she made history by attaining the highest level of public office with her appointment as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and concurrently as Second Minister for Finance and Transport. Her appointment sends a strong message that Singapore belongs equally to both men and women, that women can play key roles in politics, and which inspires women to take up leadership roles.
As the Chairman of the PAP Women’s Wing, she has set a new target for increasing female representation in Parliament to 30%. She launched the Young Women’s Leadership Connection - an initiative aimed at providing mentorship, enrichment and networking opportunities to undergraduate women in Singapore. This fullfills her vision to create a pipeline of women leaders in Singapore, preparing them for leadership and service to the future community.
What she finds most enriching about political work are the opportunities to meet and relate to people from all walks of life. When in Parliament, she has raised issues of providing families, especially women, with more childcare support and encouraging employers to adopt more pro-family practices, advocating Preventive Healthcare and National Service for women, and the need to promote literacy and reading amongst children from low-income and disadvantaged homes.
 Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon
The First Woman Mayor in Singapore
Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon was involved in politics as a Member of Parliament since 1984, making her the longest serving female politician in Singapore. She became Singapore’s first woman Mayor in 2001 when she was appointed to lead the South West Community Development Council.
Mrs Yu-Foo was the first woman to chair the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Central Committee in 1980. She served as a passionate trade union leader in the NTUC for three decades and became its Deputy Secretary-General. She also started the NTUC Childcare and NTUC Foodfare. For her contributions to the labour and co-operative movements, she was awarded the Rochdale Medal by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation in 1997. She was named Woman of the Year in 1995.
As a champion of many causes, Mrs Yu-Foo has actively promoted the development of family, children and youth, and care for the elderly throughout her career. She was appointed Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports in 2004 and conferred the Doctorate of Education by Wheelock College of Boston USA in 2008.
Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon is a role model for women in Singapore.
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