Halimah Yacob conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by National University of Singapore (NUS)

Her father died when she was eight. Her mother became an itinerant food hawker to raise her five children.

The young Halimah would wake up early to help prepare the food before going to school.

She had just $5 the day she matriculated at NUS.

But with a bursary from MUIS and part-time work, she graduated with honours and became a legal officer at the National Trades Union Congress.

Halimah Yacob is a trail blazer.

She was the first Malay woman to be elected an MP in 2001. She became the first female Speaker of Singapore's Parliament in January 2013.

She was also the first Singaporean to be elected to the governing body of the International Labour Organisation, a United Nations body that sets labour standards.

Madam Halimah Yacob has been conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by National University of Singapore (NUS), its top honour for individuals who have served the community and country with distinction.

Madam Halimah, 61, received her scroll from President Tony Tan Keng Yam, who is also chancellor of NUS, during a ceremony at her alma mater yesterday.

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