Each year, Time magazine releases its “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World”. The magazine's list, now in its seventh year, recognizes the activism, innovation and achievement of the world's most influential individuals.
I'm doing an article on this for the next Asian Avenue magazine cover story and this women just completely stood out on this list...
Chen Shu-Chu - Taiwanese, 59, Vegetable Vender
Chen Shu-Chu sells vegetables in a stall in Taitung County's central market, in eastern Taiwan. From her modest living, she has managed to donate nearly NT$10 million (that's $320,000) to various causes, including a children's fund, the construction of a library at a school she attended, and a local orphanage, where she also gives financial support to three children.
According to Time magazine, “What's so wonderful about Chen's achievement is not its extraordinariness but that it is so simple and matter of fact in its generosity. And rather than bask in her celebrity, Chen seems to dismiss the whole thing with a wave of her hand, perhaps even with a hint of irritation.”
"There isn't much to talk about, because I did not enter any competition," she says. "I haven't really made any huge donations."
She's planning to establish a fund to help the poor with education, food and health care. Amazing, but of all she has given away, her greatest gift is her example.
“Money serves its purpose only when it is used for those who need it," she told a newspaper.
Most of the other individuals are politicians, business people, writers and doctors... I love that she is a VEGETABLE VENDOR.
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