Vice President Annette Lu's (呂秀蓮) involvement in Taiwan's democracy movement is well known, but few know that Lu, the daughter of poor parents, was twice almost sold into adoption.
Lu was named this year's recipient of the World Peace Prize by the World Peace Prize Awarding Council in Washington last Wednesday.
Lu said in a statement that she never dreamed she would be awarded such an honor.
"I am fortunate not only to be one of the recipients of the World Peace Prize, but to be on the same list of so many world leaders. Instead of claiming it as my personal achievement, it should be deemed as the common achievement of the people of Taiwan," Lu said in the English version of her statement.
"I grew up in a poor family. I was almost sold [into adoption] twice when I was little. I suffered from carcinoma when I was 30 and was unjustly sentenced to 12 years for treason when I was 36 [years] of age.
"In spite of it, I was finally sworn in as the 10th Vice President of the Republic of China on the day of my 56th birthday in the [new] millennium. I am also the first female Vice President elected by the people in the 5,000 years of Chinese civilization," Lu said.
Lu added that as a woman, she has endured various kinds of suffering throughout her life.
"I not only [needed] to overcome poverty, but also triumph over gender discrimination and political dictatorship. The more trials I stand, the stronger I become," Lu said.
The World Peace Corps Academy was founded in 1983 by Robert Leggett, a senior US congressman, and Han Min-su, a South Korean religious leader.
Since 1990, the academy has awarded the World Peace Prize to 11 recipients in recognition of their extraordinary achievements in promoting democracy and peace.
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