Alice Kao

Alice Kao(Chinese:Cao huệ vũ;born 1947) is a Taiwanese journalist and politician.

Kao attendedXingya Elementary SchoolandMingchuan Elementary School,both in Taipei, before graduating fromTaipei First Girls' High School.By the time she was in high school, Kao had made it her goal to become a journalist. Though she did well on the Joint College Entrance Examination, she was assigned toNational Taiwan Normal Universityand trained as a teacher. After earning her bachelor's degree, Kao taught for two years, and found that she did not enjoy the job. Kao then passed the examinations required by theMinistry of Educationto pursue studies overseas. Kao enrolled at theUniversity of Utahin the United States. Before completing her master's degree there, Kao began applying for journalism positions in Taiwan. TheUnited Daily Newswas the only publication to respond to her application. She began working for the newspaper in January 1975, and in time, became the first woman to cover political news for the paper and the first woman to lead its political news section. Kao received theNieman Fellowshipin 1983, and took courses atHarvard Kennedy School.Upon her return to Taiwan, Kao served as city editor for theUnited Daily News.She was again the first woman to assume that position at the paper.By the 1990s, Kao was deputy editor-in-chief of theUnited Daily News.

Kao was elected to theLegislative Yuanin 1995 with 8.44% of the vote fromTaipei 1,as a member of theNew Party.She remained affiliated with the New Party as she sought reelection in 1998 and 2001, but her vote share decreased in each election cycle.