“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”-Aung San Suu Kyi
Sometimes taking the road less traveled is an arduous task. But when you’re called to fulfill a purpose larger than yourself, turning back is not an option. No one knows this like political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi. A fierce advocate for democracy, Aung fought for change in Burma in the face of adversity, danger and isolation.
Aung seemed to have politics in her blood. Her father founded the modern Burmese army and negotiated Burma’s independence from the British Empire. Her mother was appointed Burmese ambassador to India and Nepal in 1960. As an adult, Aung founded the National League for Democracy and followed Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence as a political tactic.
Deemed a serious threat to the status quo, Aung was taken from family and friends and placed under house arrest for almost 15 of the 21 years of her sentence, becoming a prominent world figure as a result. During her arrest, she was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990, and the Nobel Peace Prize the year after. She had the support of many of the world’s most powerful countries as they called for her release. Aung received vocal support from Western nations in Europe, Australia, and South America, as well as the U.S., India, Israel, Japan the Philippines and South Korea.
Aung San Suu Kyi was released in November 2010 after much pressure. She endured deadly mob attacks and survived sickness and a cyclone while on house arrest, all in an effort to change the political landscape in her country. Aung was offered freedom if she left Burma, but she chose to remain. Her fearless spirit encourages many to make their voices heard even when the opposition is greatest. She is the definition of revolutionary, a woman truly deserving of her recognition. What will you fight for?
Share Aung’s story and the stories of other women who dared on social media using the hash tag #Dare2BMe.
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