Chan Choy Siong

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.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chan.

Biography

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

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

In 1981, Chan died in a car accident.[9]

Legacy

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

Citations
  1. "Chan Choy Siong". Infopedia. National Library Board, Singapore. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  2. Ho 2012, p. 67.
  3. Ho 2012, p. 68.
  4. 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.
  5. Lee, Chor Lin (2012). In the Mood for Cheongsam: A Social History, 1920s – Present. Editions Didier Millet. pp. 36, 38. ISBN 9789814260923.
  6. "Women in Singapore Politics". The Straits Times. 8 March 1993. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2017 – via LexisNexis.
  7. 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.
  8. Turnbull, C. M. (1 January 2009). A History of Modern Singapore, 1819–2005. NUS Press. p. 321. ISBN 9789971694302.
  9. "Chan Choy Siong". Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2017.

Sources
  • 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.
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