elimi Winter Gathering: Learning Together in Historic Tainan, Uniting the Power of Pink
The Women Managers’ Association of the Machine Tool Guild, known as “elimi” (Elegant Leader in Machinery Industry), held its grand year-end winter gathering in Tainan, a city rich in history. This coincided with the 400th anniversary of Tainan’s founding in 2024. The event began with a cultural video presentation at “Anping Maritime City,” introducing the historical and cultural heritage of Tainan and setting the tone for an intellectually enriching journey.
To satisfy the members’ insatiable curiosity and love of learning, the gathering featured a shared reading of two carefully selected books, with both editors and authors invited to share their publishing concepts and writing experiences. First, Guifen He, Editor-in-Chief of CommonHealth Magazine, recounted the editorial and interview process behind The Blue Zone Challenge, including her visits to Italian villages, firsthand observations of centenarians’ lifestyle wisdom, and memorable travel anecdotes. Following that, Chief Editor Yiwen Wu analyzed the habits mentioned in the book and offered practical tips for incorporating them into daily life, encouraging every member to create her own “Blue Zone lifestyle.”
The second book, Flying with Shackles, vividly chronicles the remarkable life story of Honglong Huang, founder of Eslite United CPA Firm. From childhood struggles and education to career development, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, Huang’s journey is inspiring. Diagnosed with polio at age two and undergoing five spinal surgeries due to scoliosis, he endured severe respiratory muscle fatigue that led to three near-death comas. Today, he relies on a positive-pressure breathing device during the day and sleeps in a negative-pressure respirator, commonly known as an “iron lung.” Yet physical limitations never confined his spirit: “Only by losing myself can I transcend myself and unite with the universe.” His words of wisdom and resilient spirit delivered a profound lesson in life philosophy.
Meihua Tu, Chairwoman of Yingjie Foundry and the third president of elimi, once said: “How long you live doesn’t matter—what matters is living brilliantly.” The gathering included a special video tribute to Meihua, allowing members to relive her cheerful, generous, and warm-hearted energy that continues to inspire everyone. Coincidentally, the event fell on Meihua’s birthday—a beautiful reminder that “everything happens for the best.” Her family joined the celebration, making the occasion even more meaningful and strengthening bonds of love and support.
Despite the year-end rush, members overcame all obstacles to participate actively. Through visits and interactive sharing, they learned from one another, creating ripples of inspiration and harnessing the gentle power of pink to keep growing. As Meihua once said: “Become mentors who enrich each other’s lives.” Because—
“Scattered, we are radiant grains of rice; united, we form a bountiful and elegant ear of grain.”
