Suu Kyi in Fort Wayne Tuesday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Aung San Suu Kyi, political prisoner, advocate of democracy, "mother of Burma," spoke to thousands at Memorial Coliseum Tuesday.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry and Indiana Senator Dan Coats spoke to the crowd before Suu Kyi was introduced. 

Photo Gallery: Aung San Suu Kyi visits Fort Wayne

Suu Kyi took the stage shortly after 9:00 a.m. to a standing ovation from the crowd. In her speech, she encouraged the elder Burmese population in Fort Wayne to create classes to teach children Burmese; she asked people to "please don't forget your native language. take pride in your culture and your traditions and heritage and learn your language."

She spoke until just after 9:30 a.m. at which time she took pre-submitted questions from the audience.

One audience member asked a question in English: "What can we do to help you?"

Suu Kyi responded that the United States has already done a lot to help. The country is now at an important and delicate time. Myanmar is not at a democracy now, it is just at the beginning of the road. It will be a difficult period during which the country sorts out what is necessary. She said it seems like progress is being made with regards to raising awareness to the situation in her country. She told the audience member that they could support her and her country by continuing to keep up awareness of what is happening and what the country needs in respect to progress. She said not to look at surface of things, that, in the end, real progress is reflected in lives of ordinary people.

Aung San Suu Kyi: Political prisoner, advocate of democracy

Suu Kyi, on a 17-day U.S. tour, has been held on house arrest three different times over the last 21 years in her native Burma (Myanmar). Suu Kyi, the leader of the Burmese National League for Democracy, is a member of the country's lower parliament.

In the 1980's, when people of Burma began pushing for democracy in the military-controlled government, Suu Kyi was on the front lines of the charge. Her speeches for democracy and human rights landed her as a public enemy to the ruling military of Burma. Subsequently, after the NLD won landslide elections in 1990, Suu Kyi continued to be placed on house arrest. Suu Kyi was released from house arrest most recently in 2010.

Years ago, the military leaders gave her the chance to get off house arrest if she left the country.

She refused.

In April of 2012, the NLD announced Suu Kyi was elected to parliament and recently the oppressive military rule has recognized her and her party's victories. Leaders of Berma have also began recognizing other areas of the country, allowing fewer restrictions and opening up avenues of economic development in the poverty-stricken country.

Suu Kyi won the Noble Peace Prize in 1991, the Rafto Prize and Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990, and other prestigious awards for her involvement in peace, democracy, and human rights.

The week of Sept. 17, Suu Kyi was award the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award in the United States (along with the Presidential Medal of Honor).

Monday, Sept. 24, Suu Kyi spoke at the University of Louisville. She has previously made stops in Washington D.C. and New York, and she will also make stops in Los Angeles and San Francisco.