A North Korean defector living in South Korea will receive an International Women of Courage Award given by the U.S. State Department.

Lee Ae-ran defected to South Korea in 1997 with her four-month-old son and has since become a professor of food nutrition and culinary arts at Kyungin Women's College.

Amid her own trials, she has helped other North Korean defecting women and children stand on their own. Lee says she hopes her experiences can serve as an example to other defectors going through difficult times.

The State Department presents the award to ten women around the world each year for their efforts to improve human rights and women’s rights.

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend the awards ceremony.