SINGAPORE – Growing up in a challenging environment did not break Dr Noeleen Heyzer. Instead, it ignited her desire to change her life and dedicate herself to removing barriers for others.
She eventually went on to become the
first Singaporean and South-east Asian to serve as under-secretary-general of the UN
.
Before that, she was the first person outside North America to lead the now-defunct UN Development Fund for Women (Unifem), which promoted gender equality and women’s empowerment.
For her contributions in raising the international standing of Singapore, Dr Heyzer was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, which she received from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the National Awards Investiture ceremony, held on Nov 16 at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio.
In a Facebook post, President Tharman said: “Noeleen’s life has been one of courage and purpose”, having lost her mother when she was six, grown up in a slum area along the Singapore River, and eventually being placed in the Mount Emily Girls’ Home.
