• Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Women
  • Video
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Skin
    • Hair
    • Body & Fragrances
    • Aesthetics & Services
    • Best Of Beauty
    • Reviews
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Trends & Tips
    • Style Files
    • Watches & Jewellery
  • Life
    • Life
    • Food
    • Entertainment
    • Wellness
    • Travel
    • Tech
    • Sex & Love
  • Women
    • Women
    • Women Now
    • Career
    • Money
  • Woman of the year
  • Video
  • Events & Promos
  • Weddings
    • Weddings
    • Gowns & Suits
    • Ideas & Advice
    • Real Weddings
    • Love Nest
    • Luxe
  • Covid-19 Survival Guide
  • Power Your Happy
  • Mental Health
  • Beauty Club
  • Showcase
    • SingHealth 2020: Defining Tomorrow’s Medicine
    • Dior Capture Totale
Subscribe!
  • Also available at:
Privacy Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising with Us
  • Conditions of Access
  • PDPA
  • Privacy Statement
SPH Magazine

Copyright 2005-2020 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. co. Regn No 1984 02868E. All rights reserved.

  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life
  • Women
  • Video

Women

Unforgettable inspirational quotes by President Halimah Yacob

W / Women

Unforgettable inspirational quotes by President Halimah Yacob

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we take a look at some of the most inspiring quotes by Singapore’s very first female president

by Hidayah Idris  /   March 8, 2020
Halimah Yacob

Credit: The Straits Times

Almost three years ago, Halimah Yacob became the president of Singapore. She is the first female and second Malay president for our country. She was also the Her World Woman Of The Year in 2003.

Prior to her appointment, she was a Minister of Parliament (MP) before she became the Speaker of Parliament in 2013.

She may have had an illustrious political career, but her pre-politics path was just as impressive: she made her way up from a legal officer to become the director of legal services at National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

But everything wasn’t handed to her on a silver platter. The president reportedly was living in poverty after her father passed away when she was eight years old, leaving her mother to support her and her four siblings. She revealed in a previous interview that she had to skip school to help her mother sell nasi padang outside the former Singapore Polytechnic to support the family.

She eventually made it to National University of Singapore and graduated with an Honours degree in Law. The president walked the talk of lifelong learning, as she continued to pursue her Masters and Doctorate in Law even after making a name for herself.

This International Women’s Day, we take a look at some of her most inspirational quotes.

READ NEXT

How these fashion brands are empowering women this International Women’s Day

7 inspiring feminist movies every woman should watch at least once

IWD: Empowering quotes from world’s most influential women we can learn from

https://www.herworld.com/gallery/women/inspirational-quotes-president-halimah-yacob-international-womens-day/
Unforgettable inspirational quotes by President Halimah Yacob
On growing up with hardships
custom

“Hardship should never be a deterrent. I think probably if my life had been a lot easier, I would not be where I am. But because my life was tough, that’s why I learnt so many things, I learnt to survive.”

– Channel News Asia interview, 2017

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Halimah Yacob (@halimahyacob) on Apr 25, 2019 at 6:40am PDT

Instagram/halimahyacob
On marriage
custom

“Marry for the right reason and remember it. Whenever we have any difference in opinion, as all couples do every now and then, I remember why I married [my husband]. I remember the sacrifices he made for me. And this makes it easier for us to work things out.”

– At “will you ever be ready for marriage” conference via The Straits Times, 2017

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Halimah Yacob (@halimahyacob) on Nov 14, 2017 at 6:54pm PST

Instagram/halimahyacob
On retrenched workers
custom

“They are not just a digit because retrenchments, loss of jobs, affect them personally, very poignantly.”

– The New Paper interview, 2016

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Halimah Yacob (@halimahyacob) on Jul 14, 2018 at 8:04pm PDT

Instagram/halimahyacob
On her job as an MP
custom

“It may not be very glamorous but it is very satisfying. People come to me because they need help. If they don’t need me, then I might as well pack up and go home.”

– Her World interview, 2003

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Halimah Yacob (@halimahyacob) on Sep 3, 2017 at 9:17pm PDT

Instagram/halimahyacob
On speaking up against racial stereotypes
custom

“The danger is, because we’ve always been a harmonious society, we can become complacent, we don’t understand that there’s a lot of work that we need to do in order to generate that understanding. We do need to have deeper conversations about what it really means for us as a society, and as a people, to promote further multiracialism.”

– At a racial harmony programme at the Singapore Discovery Centre via The Straits Times, 2018

Read Next

#EachforEqual: 10 reasons why women and men deserve equal pay

5 badass women to watch in 2020

Podcasts for women, by women you should be listening to

This article was originally published in Cleo.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Halimah Yacob (@halimahyacob) on Mar 9, 2018 at 10:26pm PST

Instagram/halimahyacob
  • TAGS:
  • Her World Woman of the Year
  • inspiring women
  • international women's day
  • international women's day singapore
  • president halimah yacob
  • quotes
  • woman of the year
SHARE THIS ON

Highlights
  • Skin Unlock the secret to radiant skin with this new premium s...
  • Aesthetics & Services This treatment lifts and firms to give you a V-shape face
  • The Anti-Ageing Serum Celebs Rave About
  • Skin The anti-ageing skincare loved by celebrities that you ne...
  • Aesthetics & Services This anti-ageing facial will help to reduce lines and mak...
  • Aesthetics & Services This non-invasive lifting treatment will make you look yo...
Editor’s Picks
  • Women Now Meet the achieving women of Her World Tribe
  • Shopping 10 Hidden Finds in Delfi Orchard For Your Special Occasions
  • Skin What Jamie Yeo, Cheryl Wee and Drea Chong are looking for...
Newsletter Subscribe
Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from Her World.
Will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement
Footer Menu
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • PDPA
  • Conditions of Access
  • Privacy Statement
?>
SPH Magazine

Copyright 2005-2020 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. co. Regn No 1984 02868E. All rights reserved.