Inside the Her World Women of the Year 2024 gala dinner 

Despite coming from vastly different industries, this year’s award winners share a powerful commonality: a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep commitment to making a difference in their communities. They have continuously pushed boundaries, challenged the status quo, and have not only set new standards in their fields but have also served as beacons of leadership and empowerment. 

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And for their remarkable achievements, Justice Judith Prakash, senior judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Shanti Pereira, Singapore’s national sprinter, were celebrated at the Her World Women of the Year gala dinner, where they were presented the 2024 Woman of the Year and Young Woman Achiever awards respectively. 

First introduced in 1991, the Her World Woman of the Year award is recognised as a symbol of recognition for women who dare to challenge the norm and have made an indelible mark in the community. Every year, this award is given to inspirational women who have led the charge, especially to those who, through sheer determination and passion, have achieved extraordinary success while making a lasting difference in society.

The Her World Young Woman Achiever Award celebrates the success of young women who push existing boundaries, inspiring those around them and paving the way for future generations. In celebration of the two extraordinary women who have been selected to receive these awards, the Her World Women of the Year gala dinner and awards ceremony at JW Marriott South Beach welcomed over 200 distinguished guests.

At the event, guests were greeted by the Ora’s latest limited edition Good Cat. Attendees were also gifted with luxurious skincare products, courtesy of Cle de Peau Beaute. 

The gala dinner was graced by Ms Jane Ittogi, along with a distinguished gathering of guests from various fields, including business leaders, industry giants, renowned creatives, local celebrities and influential thought leaders. Notably, trailblazers such as Ms Jennie Chua, the 1999 Her World Woman of the Year and chairperson of the Her World Woman of the Year judging committee, and Ng Gim Choo, the 2023 award winner and founder of EtonHouse International Education Group, were present, alongside a stellar lineup of visionary leaders.

To commence the evening, Her World’s editor-in-chief Elizabeth Lee, delivered a heartfelt opening address, warmly welcoming the esteemed guests of the gala.

She shared that “Her World’s mission is to be useful, inspiring and empowering. We’re here tonight to honour two exceptional women who have made remarkable contributions to society and have made Singapore proud on the global stage.”

During her speech, she also touched on the Her World Mentorship Programme – an initiative that pairs inspirational women with aspiring achievers, so they can seek guidance and advice as they navigate their professional and personal lives.

Lastly, she gave her thanks to the people who have made this ceremony possible. “Thank you to Ms Jennie Chua for your efforts and spending time with us choosing our Woman of the Year. I also want to say a big thank you to our sponsors, Singtel, Ora, The Hour Glass and Cle de Peau Beaute, and our clients, partners and friends, who have made the last year possible.”

As guests indulged in a four-course dinner, the evening transitioned into the awards ceremony, beginning with the presentation of the Hello Possibilities Singtel award, introduced by Anna Yip, deputy CEO, Singtel Singapore / CEO, Business Development.

She said: “As a Singaporean brand with more than a hundred years of history, Singtel’s root purpose is to empower every generation. We believe that championing diversity and inclusivity is crucial to cultivate valuable experiences and perspectives. We are also committed to ensuring that women are empowered not just at Singtel, but throughout the broader tech community. Hello Possibilities aligns perfectly with this purpose. Each remarkable woman is breaking new ground in tech and shaping the future. The possibilities are truly limitless when women are brave enough to take the lead.”

The event carried on with the introduction of the Young Woman Achiever award. Yvonne Mak, chairperson of the Young Women’s Leadership Connection was invited to present a citation.

“Shanti Pereira has become a household name in Singapore. Watching her, a woman from Singapore, at the Olympics where so many have fought so hard to get to, hearing our country being announced in a stadium of thousands of people and millions watching around the world, it was apparent then that Shanti was in the league of the best in her sport. She has put Singapore on the world stage,” she said.

The award was presented to Shanti, who in her acceptance speech expressed deep gratitude to those who supported her and shared personal reflections on her journey as an athlete.

“There’s a lot that I want to say, but I’m just so happy to be able to do what I do. It comes with its struggles, as you’ve heard. No different from many others in the pursuit of excellence. But regardless of the good and the bad, I wouldn’t trade where I am for anything in the world. I’ve learned so many important lessons on how to be resilient and how to show respect, and most importantly, finding the joy in the little things, because to me, it’s what makes life worth living.”

She concluded on an inspiring note: “I want to share something I go back to when I feel a little lost; only you have the power to determine what happens in your journey, and as for me, my journey is far from over.”

Shortly after, the award was presented to the Her World Woman of the Year, which was first accompanied by a citation delivered by Amanda Chong, 2023 Young Woman Achiever Award. Like Justice Prakash, Amanda is a Raffles Girls’ School (RGS) alumna. She shared how Justice Prakash inspired her as a teenager.

“Justice Judith Prakash was an icon to all of us RGS girls and she emphasised that being a woman should never stop us from pursuing our passions.”

The Her World Woman of the Year award was presented by Ms Ittogi. Justice Prakash began her acceptance speech by sharing her personal journey with Her World magazine.

She said, “I feel very humble to be chosen to be the recipient of this award. It is especially significant that this award comes from Her World, a company made in my teenage years. I used to make a beeline to get the latest edition of the Her World magazine. I enjoyed fashion but always appreciated the more serious articles about women’s lives in Singapore and the tips that we were given to help us manage various aspects of our lives.

“When Her World introduced the Woman of the Year award, I was very pleased because it was the first to focus on women’s achievements, an area that was rather neglected in Singapore at the time. For a few years in the early 90s, I was a member of the selection committee. It gave me insight into the women who have contributed to society and have often not received the appreciation that was due.”

She also congratulated Ms Shanti Pereira, this year’s Young Woman Achiever. “I want to congratulate Ms Shanti Pereira for being this year’s YWA [winner]. Her hard work and determination have been inspiring not just to younger women but to all Singaporeans. She has made all of us proud and her award is richly deserved.” 

Lastly, she thanked the people who have been a big part of her journey and have supported her along the way.

“Of course, I could not have done a single thing without support. My husband has always been at my side. He always provided support, advice and encouragement to me. My mother-in-law looked after my children and gave me the peace of mind to concentrate at work. My children gave me joy and kept me grounded. ‘You are not in court, I’m not a witness. Don’t cross examine me!’ they would say, putting me in my place.

“In closing, I would like to thank the organiser and selection committee. You have not just made my day, you have made my whole year.”  

The Her World Woman Of The Year 2024 gala was organised with support from our official partners Cle de Peau Beaute, Ora, Singtel and The Hour Glass.