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Helen Kim

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Helen Kim was a very busy leader from South Korea. She worked as a teacher, a writer, and a politician. She also fought for the rights of women.

Kim was born in Incheon in 1899. She grew up in a large, modern family. She went to Christian schools as a young girl. One of these was Ewha Girls School. She was a very good student. Kim earned a degree from Wesleyan College in 1924. Later, she earned a master's degree from Boston University. She also earned a PhD in education from Columbia University in 1931.

Kim did many important jobs in education. In 1931, she became the dean of Ewha College. This school was for girls. Under her leadership, it grew very large. By the time she died, it was the largest women's university in the world.

In 1945, Kim worked with other leaders. They formed the Korean Committee on Education. This group worked with the United States. They gave advice on how to run schools and help teachers. Kim also worked for President Syngman Rhee. She was the director of his Office of Public Information in 1948.

Kim helped start a famous newspaper. While working for the president, she said Korea needed an English paper. She chose the name The Korea Times. She wanted the name to represent the whole country. The paper was first published on November 1, 1950.

Kim also started a large group for women. It is called the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. She first had this idea in 1923. The first big meeting to plan it happened in 1929. On October 26, 1939, women from 27 countries signed a paper to start it. They met in Pasadena, California.

This women's group does many kind things. Its motto is "To Know Christ and Make Him Known." The group helps people through healing and schools. They also provide social services. They work with women from all over the world. They want to build peace and justice.

In 1954, the group joined the World Methodist Council. In 1983, it became a partner of the United Nations. In 1996, the group officially changed its name. It now includes "Uniting Church" in its title. In 2011, Ewha College started a scholarship in Kim's name. It helps young women become leaders.

Some people have strong feelings about Kim's life. This is because of what she did when Japan ruled Korea. During that time, Kim was the principal of Ewha. She encouraged men to join the Japanese army. This is a hard part of her history. Kim said she did this to keep her school open. She felt it was necessary during those harsh times. Because of these choices, some people still protest her today. They have even burned statues of her.

Her life shows how leaders make very difficult choices.

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