Aung San Suu Kyi

A Graceful LeaderBy Patricia Reed

Background

Born 1945 Burma-Myanmar

Father: Military Leader, assassinated 1947

Mother: Ambassador India & Nepal

Educated: India & England

Political Life

-Leader of pro-democracy movement National League for Democracy (NLD)

-Under house arrest by military dictatorship for 15 years

-Elected to Burmese Parliament 2012

The Qualities of a Great LeaderThe Qualities of a Great Leader

Courageous- 1988 Uprising: Spoke to half a million people calling for democratic government- Violent repression by military. 3,000 - 10,000 killed- 2,000 imprisoned, many students

CompassionateBelieved in Ghandi’s non-violent resistance Encouraged Burma’s poor and ethnic minorities to fight for rights Famous speech: ‘It is not power that corrupts, but fear.’

Patient and PersistentHouse arrests 1989-2010Forbidden leave or to meet with NLD or outside visitorsContinued to write letters and draw attention to Burma’s problems

Devoted to FreedomHusband & children denied visas to BurmaFamily separated many yearsSuu Kyi stayed in Burma for fight for democracy

Hard-working- Nobel Prize of Freedom 1991- Presidential Medal of Freedom- Author of many books, including Freedom from Fear

Confident & Ambitious- Speaks her mind freely with world leaders- Announced she will run for president of Burma 2015