Women
Women and the Typewriter in Singapore’s Herstories
The humble typewriter helped women become better educated, enter the workforce and contribute to society.
How Chinese Buddhist Women Shaped the Food Landscape in Singapore
Women who practised a particular form of Buddhism set up popular vegetarian restaurants in the 1940s and 50s that met the needs of local Buddhists and also helped promote vegetarianism.
The Kamala Club: Planting the Seeds of a Pioneering Women’s Organisation
Vandana Aggarwal traces the origins of a venerable association for Indian women and the role it played in their lives.
Wong Din Haan: A Pioneer Educator
Wong Din Haan, who founded a girls’ school in Singapore, was also a champion for women’s rights.
Siti Radhiah’s Cookbooks for the Modern Malay Woman
A number of cookbooks written in the 1940s and 1950s helped expand the traditional Malay culinary repertoire, as Toffa Abdul Wahed tells us.
A Different Sky: The Other Side of the Looking Glass
Meira Chand explores the challenges of writing historical fiction.
Marjorie Doggett: Photographer of Singapore
Edward Stokes reflects on the life and work of Marjorie Doggett, a pioneering photographer.
When Women Were Commodities
Brothels in colonial Singapore, with its large male migrant population, did a roaring trade. Adeline Foo examines the lives of the unfortunate girls and women who were sold into prostitution.
Snakes, Tigers and Cannibals: Ida Pfeiffer’s Travels in Southeast Asia
Travelling alone across Southeast Asia in the 19th century, Ida Pfeiffer encountered human heads put out to dry and faced off angry cannibals. John van Wyhe recounts the adventures of this remarkable woman.
Georgette Chen: Artist Extraordinaire
Sara Siew examines the link between visual art and the written word through the fascinating story of Singaporean artist Georgette Chen.
Mrs Dare and Her Magnificent Driving Machine
The intrepid Mrs G.M. Dare – true to her name – was Singapore’s first woman driver. In April 1907, she embarked on a 686-mile road trip across the Malay Peninsula.
The Modern Malayan Home
Along with the introduction of running water and electricity at the turn of the 20th century were advertisements featuring modern home appliances. Georgina Wong has the story.
Life Lessons in a Chetty Melaka Kitchen
Thrift, hard work and resilience are qualities that can be nurtured through food. Chantal Sajan recalls the legacy of her grandaunt.
An Ode to Two Women
Acclaimed poet and playwright Robert Yeo pays tribute to his daughter and a noted author in chapter two of his work-in-progress sequel to his memoir Routes.
Blazing a Trail: The Fight for Women’s Rights in Singapore
The Singapore Council of Women was the city’s first female civil rights group that took bold steps to champion laws affecting women. Phyllis Chew documents its hard-won victories.