A North Korean escapee-turned professor has been chosen as one of the ten winners of the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage award.

Lee Ae-ran, a nutrition professor at Kyungin Women's College, received the award from U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton at the State Department on Thursday (KST).

In a congratulatory speech, Clinton recognized Lee’s efforts to help improve the quality of life and education of North Korean escapees and raise awareness of the dire human rights situation in North Korea.

After receiving the award, Lee told reporters that she hopes her experiences can serve as an example to other North Koreans going through difficult times.

Lee defected to South Korea in 1997 with her four-month-old son and is the first North Korean female escapee to earn a doctorate degree.

She has helped other North Korean defecting women and children stand on their own.

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama also attended the awards ceremony.