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The Freedom Collection Spotlights Charm Tong

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Learn more about Chris Walsh.
Chris Walsh
Director, Global Policy
George W. Bush Institute

In honor of Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's historic visit to the United States, we are recognizing Burma’s brave...

In honor of Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's historic visit to the United States, we are recognizing Burma’s brave freedom advocates featured in the Freedom Collection. Today we spotlight Charm Tong, who at the age of 17 co-founded the Shan Women’s Action Network that works to end the brutalization of women and children.  At the age of 20, she established the School for Shan State Nationalities Youth as a way to provide young people with a strong education and help them become effective community leaders.  Tong has also launched an internationally-recognized campaign to end the Burmese military’s use of systematic rape against Shan women. Born into violence and growing up in an orphanage, hear Tong discuss her inspiration for becoming a voice for Burma’s women and children:This post was written by Christopher Walsh, Program Coordinator of the Freedom Collection.