1. Tamsui Girls' School: the First Girl School in Taiwan

2. Chang Jung Girls’ Senior High School: The Enlightenment for Girls in Southern Taiwan

As the daughter of a highly regarded scholar in Tainan, Madam Hsu Shih-sian was the first female to obtain a phD degree in Medicine in Taiwan. Madam Hsu and her husband set up “Sun Ten Tong Hospital” and were known as the “Doctor Couple.” As a woman forerunner, Madam Hus engaged herself in politics in 1964. She advocated women’s rights, set up women associations and promoted the abolishment of licensed prostitutes. She was praised by the public as Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) in Jiayi for her honesty., hard work and her dedication in providing medical care.
Her most significant achievements in her political career were the expansion of Zhongshan Road and the construction of the central foundation. The central foundation not only became an important landmark of Jiayi but also a symbol of democracy.

Taiwan’s first international, religious, service-oriented women’s organization, Taipei Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), was set up in 1949. At the time, local and foreign female missionaries set up milk and cookie stations in Taipei to provide food and other daily necessities to children in poverty every day. YWCA was also dedicated to reducing poverty, providing education to women, and teaching women skills that enabled them to make a living.
In the 1990s, YWCA held member meeting for the Asia Pacific Region in Taiwan for the first time, marking a significant connection with the international community. YWCA aims to nurture women talents who will lead the change in the future with professionalism and an international perspective.

5. National Women’s League of the Republic of China

The National Women’s League (NWL) of the Republic of China was set up in 1950 by Madam Chiang Song Mei-lng, the wife of former President Chiang Kai-shek, and the wives of numerous civil servants and entrepreneurs. NWL made clothes and provided daily necessities to soldiers in service, organized visits to encourage soldiers at the front line and provided services for soldiers’ families. After Taiwan retreated from United Nation, Madam Chiang set up 22 overseas NWL branches that provided medicine and financial aid to countries in need.
From the 1990s, NWL switched its role and focused to social welfare.The former site of NWL was originally the Japanese Army Clubhouse during the period of Japanese occupation. This baroque style building, named “Jhih-de Hall” was listed as a municipal heritage building by Taipei City in 1998.

During the martial law period in Taiwan in 1971, Madam Annette Hsiu-lien Lu published an article entitled “Traditional Roles of Men and Women” against political pressure, which heralded the beginning of women movement. Madam Annette Lu later set up a protection hotline for women workers in Kaohsiung.
In 1976, Pioneer Publishing was set up in Taipei by six female writers, including Madam Annette Lu, Shi Shu-qing, Madam Cao You-fang, Madam Huang Hui-ying, Madam Wang Zhong-ping and Madam Chen Yun-ying. They are the pioneers in wielding the sword of words. The publishing company combined womens right activism and publishing and became the inspiration for wide scale feminist movement in Taiwan.

Homemaker’s Union and Foundation (HUF) was set up by a group of homemakers committed to environmental protection in 1989. HUF published handbooks to encourage environmental protection awareness and trained housewives to promote environmental protection in their communities and schools. HUF called for garbage classification and recycling ten years before the practice was adopted by the government as a national policy.
To save forests, HUF promoted the use of recycled paper. HUF also built several walking trails in the forests, promoted environmental and homeland education. HUF is an organization that is not shy to voice its opinions, is quick in action, and is happy to share. HUF strives to make our society a better place.

9. Fembooks: the First Bookstore of Women Movement in Chinese Community

Opened in 1994, Fembooks was the first feminist bookstore for the women movement in the Chinese community. Fembooks represented important enlightenment for a new female generation. Fembooks regularly holds series of feminist courses, activities and press conferences for new books. Fembooks called itself a “woman’s own room”, which represents warm and free space for women readers and hopes to provide a porthole to nurture women’s self awareness. Fembooks stands as a vital multicultural indicator in Taiwan.

10. Puyuma Women Festival

Pinuyumayan, the matriarchal aboriginal tribe in Taiwan, holds its annual women festival after weeding in March. The festive activities are arranged and performed by senior tribal women. Wearing traditional costumes and flower wreath, all female members in the tribe parade to the beat of music. After returning to Palakuan, chief and elders line up to welcome female members and show their respect to senior tribal women. Meanwhile, all male members prepare food and drinks to show their gratitude for women. The century-long traditional festival not only strengthens tribal spirits but passes along Pinuyumayan songs, ceremonies, embroidery, craft and culture to future generations.