Elsie at 80 shows no sign of giving up the fight for equal rights
HARD to believe, but that fiery champion of the downtrodden, Legislative Councillor Elsie Tu, enters the octogenarian ranks today.
For as long as anyone can remember, the veteran politico has been battling wrongs and upholding rights, never letting up on her fearless views. In fact, one can well believe it was the likes of Elsie the lexicographers had in mind when they thought up the word ''redoubtable''.
But, as she said yesterday, she has no plans to take up knitting as a full-time occupation - even though that might be the birthday wish some of her detractors might offer.
''Me, retire? Oh no,'' she exclaimed. ''I've still got too many things left to do. I plan to keep on working while I'm physically able.'' In typical style, she will spend her birthday at the Legislative Council, where a packed agenda awaits. But there will be a little time set aside for celebration.
Some friends are throwing a birthday lunch for her. And during the course of the evening the Legislative Council, in an unprecedented gesture, will suspend its sitting to raise a glass to Elsie's continuing good health.
Now she's reached the 80th milestone, Elsie will form a club for others of the same vintage. ''The rules will be made by me,'' she quipped, ''and the first rule will be a ban on smoking.'' Meanwhile, she pointed out, her busy workload at Legco hardly gave her time to do anything else. ''I've often got to dash into nearby shops in Central if I want to do any personal shopping,'' she sighed.
Actually, I did come across Elsie some time ago gazing longingly at the fashions displayed in the windows of the designer boutiques in Prince's Building.
I don't blame her, mind. She's got to have some communion with the real world before going into the Legco.
