On  Saturday  5th October’13, newly minted Brownie Simone Lee, conducted her first guided walk with the theme “The Ladies of the Straits Settlements.” It was a  tribute to the  endurance, resilience  and the strength of character of  our women pioneers,  who played a significant role in championing greater freedom and education for females in Singapore, with  support from the  forward thinking men of their times.

This is her report.

Stories of the Ladies of Straits Settlement by Simone Lee

Despite the rain, some 40 participants bravely trickled in for the tour. A majority of them were first-timers at Bukit Brown  and it was good to see a good mix of men and ladies in the crowd for the all-ladies themed tour. And much to my comfort, a group of Brownies – who together with the participants formed a sea of umbrellas – were there to support me in my first guided walk.

Showers of blessings at the beginning of the walk (photo Claire Leow)

The stories harked back to the days, when education was frowned upon for the ladies and their social freedom, restricted. But the ladies of the Straits Settlements did not lack character, and demonstrated both verve and spirit.

The first story told was one of bravery.  During the Japanese war, Soh Koon Eng rushed home from a friend’s house when she heard the air-raid sirens. While shielding her mother and her infant niece under an altar table, she was exposed to the splinters of a bomb that hit her house. She was taken to Kandang Kerbau  hospital where she passed away the same day. Such is the cruelty of war, that Miss Soh’s story reminds us to not to take for granted, the peace we enjoy today.

Simone recounting the story of Ms Soh (Bianca Polak)

Madam Oon Tuan Cheng was left to look after 6 young children when she was widowed. She was to lose her only 2 sons to Sook Ching, followed by the death of her eldest daughter.  Her story is one of grief and endurance in the face of tragedy

At the tomb of Madam Oon (photo Bianca Polak)

At the turn of the 19^th century, higher education for Chinese girls was introduced in Singapore by social reformers such as Chia Hood Theam and Lim Boon Keng, who together with other forward thinking men of the times started the Singapore Chinese Girls School.

Among the pioneers who studied in SCGS, was Lee Choo Neo who went on to medical school to become Singapore’s first woman doctor.  She also started the the Chinese Ladies’ Association of Malaya which supported education for girls and  a shelter for vulnerable women.

Bianca sharing the extraordinary achievements of Lee Choo Neo, Singapore’s first woman doctor (photo Theresa Teng)

Another SCGS alumni Madam Onn Chim Neo, also demonstrated that girls could excel in their studies and she encouraged efforts in improving the lives of Chinese ladies.

The group at the tomb of Onn Chim Neo (photo Theresa Teng)

It is because of these pioneers that women today enjoy equality and freedom in many aspects of life, including social and physical activities. We no longer need to live our lives confined within the walls of our home.

By the end of walk, the skies had cleared, the sun came out, the air was filled with bird song and there were smiles and appreciation all round from the participants.

I had completed my first guided walk and felt that I learned more through guiding than in participating in tours.

A special thanks to all the Brownies who have mentored and supported me in various ways, from conceptualizing, planning and researching till the day of the actual tour.