Remembering former District 26 Director Ku Yanzhuoyun

Zonta Club of Hualien, Taiwan, honors the memory of Ku Yanzhuoyun, the first director of Zonta District 26, who passed away on 4 February, at the age of 105. Serving as district director from 1990 to 1992, Ku was a trailblazer in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.

In 2003, she was honored with the "Global Outstanding Women Leader Award" by the World YWCA, recognizing her remarkable contributions to women's leadership and advocacy.

In 2007, Ku donated thousands of hectares of land in Gaoshu, Pingtung, Taiwan, to establish the Ku Yanzhuoyun Plant Conservation Center. Dedicated to conserving tropical and subtropical plant species, the center has become the world's largest of its kind, preserving 34,666 plant seeds and continuously spreading biodiversity conservation efforts globally. The center stands as a modern ecological ark, committed to sustaining the planet’s richest biodiversity.

To honor her legacy, Zonta Director Vivienne Shen led a delegation of Zonta leaders, including former district director Lin Liqin, current director Diana Cheng, First District Supervisor Shiow-hua Chiou, former Hualien Club President Xu Zhenwei, Hualien Club President Peng Liping and many Hualien club members, in presenting flowers as a tribute to Ku’s lifelong dedication and leadership.