From Trailblazers To Leaders: These Were The First 108 Women Honoured At Singapore’s Hall Of Fame

In a world where women are constantly breaking barriers, making history, and inspiring change, the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame (SWHF) stands as a well-deserved tribute to those who have left a lasting mark on our nation.

And it all started 12 years ago in 2014, when SWHF unveiled its first 108 inductees – each one a trailblazer in her own right.

A Hall of Fame for Superwomen

Before the SWHF, the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) launched the Wall of Fame in 2005, spotlighting some of the country’s pioneering women in activism, education, and philanthropy.

By 2010, nine names graced the wall:

1. Chan Choy Siong
2. Elizabeth Choy
3. Hajjah Fatimah
4. Maria Dyer
5. Seow Peck Leng
6. Shirin Fozdar
7. Julie Tan
8. Lim Hwee Hua
9. Yu-Foo Yee Shoon

But Singapore’s history is filled with countless boundary breakers, risk-takers, and change-makers. And so the SCWO launched the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame on 14 Mar 2014 with its inaugural 108 inductees. This marked a new chapter in recognising the remarkable women shaping Singapore’s past, present, and future.

Who gets inducted?

An SWHF inductee has to be a citizen or resident of Singapore or a woman who was born in Singapore, and meet at least one or more of these criteria:

• Set new standards for achievement
• Made significant and enduring contributions to her field and to society
• Elevated the status of women
• Helped to open new frontiers for women and for society
• An inspiration to others

The first 108

The first batch of inductees in 2014 featured women from all walks of life, including:

• Agnes Fong Sock Har – Singapore’s first female commanding officer in the SAF
• Che Zahara Binte Noor Mohamed – Pioneering champion for women and children’s rights
  
• Daisy Vaithilingam – One of Singapore’s first medical social workers
• Esther Tan Cheng Yin – Singapore’s first female naval diver
• Halimah Yacob – Singapore’s first female President
• Kanwaljit Soin – Former Nominated MP and women’s rights advocate
• Karen Tan Puay Kiow – First woman colonel in the SAF
• Khoo Tey Lynn – Singapore's first female fighter pilot
• Lim Sok Yee – First woman to command an army battalion
• Yip Pin Xiu – Singapore’s first Paralympic gold medalist
• Zuraidah Abdullah – First woman to become a Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police

The inaugural induction ceremony in 2014 was held at the Shangri-La Hotel with President Tony Tan and Mary Tan as Guests of Honour.

Each honouree was presented with a special trophy called The Flame – a symbol of inspiration and empowerment.

For the complete list of honourees, click here.

The 11th induction ceremony in 2026

The SWHF is gearing up for its 12th induction ceremony on 27 Mar 2025 at One Farrer Hotel. This year’s gala aims to raise funds to support women in need through SCWO initiatives like:

• Star Shelter – Singapore’s only secular family violence shelter, which has helped more than 2,000 women so far by providing safe accommodation, emotional support, and empowerment programmes.
• Maintenance Support Central – which provides legal assistance and maintenance help to more than 200 women a year, including free legal clinics and advice.

Looking to celebrate powerful women and contribute to a meaningful cause? Head to the SWHF website for more details about this year’s event.