Elsie arrived in Hong Kong with her missionary husband in 1951, during a time when living standards were very low. Poor families lacked basic necessities, and corruption was rampant; people actually had to pay firemen, or they would be left to watch their house burn.

Astonished by the poverty and injustice she saw, Elsie was determined to take action. Her conservative husband disagreed however, and the two were eventually divorced. Nevertheless, Elsie decided to stay in Hong Kong, where she devoted her life to helping those less fortunate.

Elsie was extensively involved with advocacy and charity work in her heyday, particularly regarding social issues, action against corruption, and education. She was elected an Urban Councilor in 1963, and 1988 became a Legislative Councilor, focusing mainly on the welfare of Hong Kong’s middle and lower classes. She also worked closely with the press in a bid to force the British Hong Kong government into action.

One of Elsie’s most significant contributions was her role in setting up Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 1974. The civil service system in Colonial Hong Kong was corrupt from top to bottom, and Elsie played a large role in cracking down on this culture with her forceful and persistent campaigning.

Elsie also devoted much of her life to educational issues. This was particularly significant during a time when many were mired in intergenerational poverty. Believing that knowledge and education were the keys to changing their situation, Elsie set up the Mu Kuang English School for Kwun Tong squatter children in 1954, where she served as the Principal for 46 years.

She also went on to play a major role in many of Hong Kong’s educational reforms, particularly in regards to the new teacher salary structure in 1972, selection and allocation for post-Form-3 education, and the development of senior secondary and tertiary education.

Elsie turned 95 this year, and remains a supervisor at the Mu Kuang English School. After having lived in Hong Kong for more than 50 years, she has witnessed, and indeed effected much change. To date, Hong Kong has remained a largely corruption-free city, thanks in large part to her work. Her work in education has also changed the lives of many for the better. Hong Kong is a better place because of the work of Elsie Tu.

  ELSIE TU - OUR GREATEST ROLEMODEL: Hong Kong's own PILLAR OF THE DOWNTRODDEN and HER SUCCESSFUL FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.