THE founding member of the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) counts her programme to teach women English among her most memorable achievements in her 80 years.

On Wednesday, the association celebrates Mrs Hedwig Anuar's birthday with a fund-raising dinner at Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Mrs Anuar was a prominent independence advocate for Singapore in the 1960s. She was the first Asian and first woman appointed to the post of director of the National Library of Singapore in 1965.

Since the 1980s, she has been a champion of women's issues.

The Aware dinner celebrates not just Mrs Anuar's birthday but also the achievements of Singaporean women in the past 80 years.

It pays tribute to women like 77th Street boss Elim Chew, former Nominated MP Braema Mathi and more.

A special documentary, She Shaped A Nation, will premier at the dinner on Wednesday evening.