SCWO’s Hall of Fame 2025 honours pioneers who have built SG’s arts and culture scene

Constance Sheares, Kamaladevi Aravindan, and Vivien Goh are doyennes of different artistic mediums who share a commonality: they are not only Singapore’s pioneering cultural ambassadors, but their contributions to the local art scene have also inspired and supported new generations of Singaporean artists.

An ardent champion of the arts, Constance, 83, was deeply involved in curating the National Museum’s new art gallery space in 1972, during a time when Singapore’s appetite for the arts was growing but still nascent.

Kamaladevi, 75, an award-winning bilingual writer and playwright, has published over 160 short stories and essays, 18 stage plays, about 300 radio dramas, and five books. Her novel, Sembawang, was shortlisted for the Best Literary Book Award and the Singapore History Prize.

A Cultural Medallion winner and an accomplished musician, 77-year-old Vivien chose to pursue a career in classical music in Singapore after graduating from the Eastman School of Music in the US in 1969. She became the founding resident conductor and music director of the Singapore Youth Orchestra in 1980, which was established by the Ministry of Education to encourage young musical talents. 

They were joined by scientist Liu Bin, early childhood entrepreneur June Rusdon, and Ivy Ng, clinician, former group CEO of Singhealth and Her World’s 2012 Woman of the Year. 

These six women were inducted into the SCWO Hall of Fame during its 11th induction ceremony, held at the SCWO 45th Anniversary Gala Dinner last Friday and attended by Ms Jane Ittogi. In total, the event raised over $450,000 to support initiatives and programmes by the non-profit’s umbrella organisation.

In her opening address, SCWO president, Dr Seow Yian Sian said, “As we celebrate our past, we also look forward to the future. A key milestone ahead is the second edition of the Summit for Action on Gender Equality in September. 

“We are also exploring a new initiative – the ASEAN Women’s Hall of Fame. Across the region, women have played vital leadership roles, yet their contributions go unrecognised. It is time to change that. We hope to collaborate with our regional counterparts to ensure their stories are told, celebrated, and remembered.”