Career
Joaquim was inducted in the Singapore Women"s Hall of Fame in 2015. The Armenian names are anglicised in various ways. Thus Agnes is sometimes spelt Ashkhen or Ashghen and her surname Hovakimian, Joachim or Joakim.
Agnes was an avid gardener as her mother was, specialising in breeding orchids.
The first prize was for a hybrid that was named after her, Vanda "Mission Joaquim". In 1947, Vanda "Mission Joaquim" was chosen as the most fitting emblem for the nascent Progressive Party.
In 1957 it was chosen as the crest for the Malayan Orchid Society. But in April 1981, came the ultimate accolade.
From a field of forty contenders, Vanda Mission Joaquim was selected as the national flower of Singapore.
Agnes Joaquim"s siblings were well known in Singapore. Her brothers, Joe (Joaquim, born 1 April 1856), Seth (born 11 September 1866) and Robert were well-known barristers. Another brother, Arathoon (b 2 July 1864) was the Deputy Registrar of the Hackney Carriages Department.
Josephine, Agnes Joaquim"s grandniece, also has an orchid named after her, Vanda "Josephine" (also known as Vanda Mission Joaquim "Josephine").
