Chan Choy Siong (Chinese: 陳翠嫦; pinyin: Chén Cuìcháng; 1931 – 11 February 1981) was a Singaporean politician and women's rights activist. Chan was one of the first women to be elected to the Parliament.
Biography edit
Chan grew up in Chinatown.[1] She attended Nanyang Girls' High School, but was unable to complete her studies due to financial constraints.[1] Her father supported her pursuit of an education.[2]
At the age of 20, Chan joined the People's Action Party (PAP),[3] and was committed to securing equal rights for women in Singapore, including equality in pay and for an end to legal polygamy.[4]
In 1956, along with Ho Puay Choo and Oh Siew Chen, Chan created the Women's League within the PAP.[5] She was subsequently co-opted into the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) in 1957.[6] That same year, she was also elected to become a city councillor.[3]
Chan, and seven other women were elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1959.[5] Chan served as Assemblywoman and later Member of Parliament between 1959 and 1970. She was one of the first few women to be active in Singapore politics.[7]
Chan pushed for the passage of the Women's Charter and a monogamy proposal.[3] In 1961, she created and led the Women's Affairs Bureau of the PAP.[3] The Women's Charter Chan had pushed for, was passed in that same year.[5]
Chan retired from politics in 1970.[8]
Personal life edit
Chan was the wife of Ong Pang Boon, a prominent first-generation member of the People's Action Party (PAP). Her niece, Cheryl Chan, was elected in the 2015 and 2020 general election.
Death edit
In 1981, Chan died in a car accident.[9]
Legacy edit
In 2005, Chan was honored by the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) by being added to the Wall of Fame.[7]
In 2014, Chan was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame.[9]
References edit
Citations edit
- ^ a b "Chan Choy Siong". Infopedia. National Library Board, Singapore. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
- ^ Ho 2012, p. 67.
- ^ a b c d Ho 2012, p. 68.
- ^ Leong, Weng Kam (9 September 2001). "One Man, One Wife..." The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2017 – via LexisNexis.
- ^ a b c Lee, Chor Lin (2012). In the Mood for Cheongsam: A Social History, 1920s – Present. Editions Didier Millet. pp. 36, 38. ISBN 9789814260923.
- ^ "Women in Singapore Politics". The Straits Times. 8 March 1993. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2017 – via LexisNexis.
- ^ a b Ng, Sarah (23 October 2005). "Wall Tribute for Women Pioneers; Six Featured in New Wall of Fame at SCWO's Waterloo Street Centre". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2017 – via LexisNexis.
- ^ Turnbull, C. M. (1 January 2009). A History of Modern Singapore, 1819–2005. NUS Press. p. 321. ISBN 9789971694302.
- ^ a b "Chan Choy Siong". Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
Sources edit
- Ho, Khai Leong (2012). "Chan Choy Siong". In Suryadinata, Leo (ed.). Southeast Asian Personalities of Chinese Descent: A Biographical Dictionary, Volume I & II. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN 9789814345217.