30-second overview: In 1979, Annette Lu was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the Kaohsiung Incident;
in 2000, she became the first female vice president in the Chinese-speaking world. This pioneering
feminist took 20 years to journey from prison to the presidential palace, witnessing Taiwan's
complete transformation from authoritarianism to democracy.
How did a political prisoner sentenced to 12 years become vice president?
On the evening of December 10, 1979, in the streets of Kaohsiung, Annette Lu, deputy publisher of Formosa Magazine, delivered a 20-minute speech at a human rights rally. Speaking into the microphone, she declared: "Taiwanese people have never had the chance like today to voice our courage with such strength." Three days later, she was arrested.
The military court verdict read: "Lu Hsiu-lien intended to overthrow the government through illegal means" — 12 years imprisonment.
Twenty-one years later, on May 20, 2000, the same Annette Lu took her oath at the Presidential Office as vice president, becoming the first female vice president in the Chinese-speaking world.
This wasn't just a personal reversal of fortune, but a microcosm of Taiwan's democratization process.
The 1970s Awakening: New Feminism Shakes Society
In 1971, Annette Lu returned to Taiwan after earning her Master of Laws in Comparative Law from the University of Illinois. That year, female college students comprised one-third of Taiwan's university population, prompting societal calls for "male quotas" out of concern that men would have no universities to attend.
Fresh from her return and working at the Executive Yuan's Legal Affairs Committee, Lu reacted strongly to such rhetoric. She delivered a lecture titled "Should Male-Centered Society Come to an End?" introducing her shocking "New Feminism" concept: "Be a person first, then a man or woman," and "Left hand holding a spatula, right hand holding a pen."
In 1974, she published New Feminism, the first feminist book written by a Taiwanese woman in the post-war era. The book introduced the slogan "Be a person first, a woman second," causing tremendous controversy in traditional society. At the time, women's roles were still defined as "virtuous wives and good mothers" — Lu's advocacy was like dropping a bombshell.
In 1976, she established the "Protect You" hotline and founded Pioneer Publishing House. These pioneering efforts laid the foundation for Taiwan's women's rights movement, earning her recognition as the starting point of Taiwan's second-wave feminism.
💡 Did you know?
Lu emphasized that her advocacy was for "women's talent movement" rather than "women's rights movement,"
describing it as "local produce" rather than a Western import. She hoped Taiwanese women would
develop their talents, not just fight for power.
The Kaohsiung Incident: From Women's Rights Fighter to Democracy Martyr
In late 1978, Lu abandoned her opportunity to pursue a doctorate at Harvard and returned to Taiwan to enter politics. With the impending severing of US-Taiwan diplomatic ties, she recognized Taiwan faced major changes and decided to expand from women's rights to democracy movement.
She joined the opposition magazine Formosa as deputy publisher. On December 10, 1979, World Human Rights Day, Formosa Magazine held a rally in Kaohsiung calling for democracy and freedom. Lu spoke at the scene:
"Dear compatriots, conscientious Taiwanese compatriots... Today is a great day. I hope everyone will use the most enthusiastic applause to save our survival and destiny."
This speech became the turning point of her life. After the Kaohsiung Incident erupted, Lu was arrested along with democracy movement leaders including Shi Ming-teh, Lin Yi-hsiung, and Chen Chu. In the military trial, she was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, actually serving 5 years and 8 months.
During her imprisonment at Jingmei Detention Center and Tucheng Prison, Lu wasn't defeated. She read, contemplated, and even wrote the novel These Three Women on toilet paper in prison, using a washbasin as a desk to evade guard surveillance.
📝 Curator's Note
The fates of the Kaohsiung Eight varied after release: except for Lin Hung-hsuan,
the other seven all served as Democratic Progressive Party chairpersons. Lu was the
only one to become vice president and the only woman among them.
Return to Politics: From Magistrate to Vice President
In 1985, Lu was released early due to Chiang Ching-kuo's special pardon. After her comeback, she continued promoting democracy, becoming a founding member of the DPP in 1986.
In 1992, she was elected to the Legislative Yuan, focusing on foreign affairs. In 1996, after Taoyuan County Magistrate Liu Pang-yu's family was murdered, the DPP recruited Lu to run in the county magistrate by-election.
In March 1997, Lu was elected Taoyuan County Magistrate with 55.31% of the votes, becoming Taiwan's first elected female county magistrate. During her tenure, she promoted policies like "Building the Golden Coast" and "Developing Taoyuan Silicon Valley," while actively pursuing environmental protection, earning her the title of Taiwan's "Environmental Godmother."
In 2000, Chen Shui-bian invited Lu to be his running mate in the presidential election. This combination held great symbolic significance — both had been imprisoned for the Kaohsiung Incident and now challenged the KMT's 50-year rule.
The March 18 election results: the Chen-Lu ticket won with 39.30% of the vote. Lu made history as the first female vice president in the Chinese-speaking world.
Eight Years as Vice President: Soft Diplomacy and Human Rights Promotion
During her tenure as vice president from 2000-2008, Lu promoted "soft diplomacy," making multiple visits to diplomatic allies. She served as convener of the Presidential Office Human Rights Advisory Committee, promoting the Gender Equity Education Act, a crucial milestone for gender equality in Taiwan.
In 2001, she received the "World Peace Prize," though this award sparked controversy in Taiwan. Internationally, however, it recognized her democratic struggle from prison to the pinnacle of power.
On March 19, 2004, the day before the election, Lu was shot in the right kneecap in Tainan, while Chen Shui-bian was shot in the abdomen. This "319 Shooting" incident remains controversial, but the Chen-Lu ticket won re-election the next day with a narrow 0.228% margin.
⚠️ Controversial Viewpoint
During her tenure, Lu made some controversial statements, including the "AIDS divine punishment theory"
and claims that "indigenous peoples are not Taiwan's original inhabitants," drawing social criticism.
Her outspoken personality earned her both steadfast supporters and fierce critics.
Environmental Advocacy: Taiwan's Pioneer
Beyond political achievements, Lu was also a crucial promoter of Taiwan's environmental movement. She recognized early on the balance between economic development and environmental protection, promoting waste sorting and river clean-up policies during her tenure as Taoyuan County Magistrate.
She advocated for "sustainable development" concepts, promoting simple living and opposing excessive consumption. These environmental ideas weren't widely accepted in the 1990s but have now become social consensus.
Her "Keep Taiwan Clean" policy changed Taiwanese environmental habits, with effects lasting to this day.
Political Legacy and Controversy
Lu's political career was filled with controversy. She participated multiple times in DPP presidential primaries without success, declaring her "spiritual departure" from the party in 2018, criticizing the DPP under Tsai Ing-wen as no longer the party it once was.
Her proposed "96 Consensus" argued that Taiwan had been a sovereign independent state since the 1996 direct presidential election, countering the KMT's "92 Consensus." In later years, she advocated for Taiwan's "peaceful neutrality," believing Taiwan shouldn't choose sides between China and the US.
Her straightforward personality and distinct positions earned her both respect and criticism in politics. The Apple Daily once commented: "Her academic and professional credentials are second to none among the DPP's Four Heavenly Kings, but her personality and emotions often leave much to be desired... However, her frank and outspoken nature has merit in the scheming political world."
Historical Significance: The Meaning of Being a Trailblazer
Looking back at Lu's life, she embodies Taiwan's social transformation. In the 1970s, she promoted women's rights awakening; in the 1980s, she threw herself into the democracy movement; in the 1990s, she participated in party politics; and in the 2000s, she reached the pinnacle of power.
She paved the way for women's political participation in Taiwan. Following her, Taiwan saw outstanding female politicians like Tsai Ing-wen, and Taiwan's female political participation rate ranks among the top in Asia.
Her story tells us: social progress requires people willing to challenge the status quo. From being judged as "rebellious" to becoming vice president, she proved over 20 years that democratic seeds will always sprout, and authoritarian walls will eventually fall.
As she wrote in prison: "We fight not for hatred, but for love." This love — love for freedom, love for the land, love for the future.
This was not just Annette Lu's personal victory, but Taiwan's democratic victory.