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