Women Labour Heroes of the Early People's Republic

A look at women labour heroes of the early years of the People's Republic of China.

From the People's Republic of China Press in 1951.

Liang Chun, one-time poor peasant girl, became China's first woman tractor driver after liberation. Since then, she has worked on land reclamation, trained many other women drivers, become a politically advanced worker, and in 1949 was elected as delegate to the Conference of Asian Women held in 1959 in Beijing. She is now studying advanced methods of agricultural production in the Soviet Union.

Kuo Chun-ching, daughter of a poor peasant, joined the People’s Liberation Army at the age of 14. For her courage and services she was elected "Special Combat Hero". Now, at 20 years of age, she is the vice-director of the hygiene section of a division.

Li Feng-lien (centre), left her home and joined the revolutionary workers in the liberated areas when she was 15 years old. For more than 10 years she worked with ardour and perseverance. In 1949, as a popular leader and Labour Heroine, she was elected member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Council. She is now a student at the People's University in Peking.

Pi Yu-lan, elected as a Labour Heroine in a factory in Northeast China, was the first among her fellow workers to create a series of new working records. Inspired and encouraged by her example, her whole department joined in the spirit of the thing and achieved a group record. “She is only 17 years old,” said one of the workers, "could we allow ourselves to be beaten by such 'a youngster?

Chu Chiu (front left), a woman worker of the Shea Hsin Cotton Mill in Hankow, invented a method by which high grade yarn may be produced at a greater speed. In recognition of her genius and perseverance, her, fellow workers elected her as "Labour Heroine ”, and workers in other cotton mills frequently send deputations to ask her advice on their production problems.

Kuo Shu-cheng, popular 41-year-old Labour Heroine of Liaosi Province in the Northeast who has been successively elected 'Super Model Worker', 'First Model Worker’ and 'Model public grain collector for the Provincial Government'. Pinned on her coat are the four medals she has received for her efforts in rural production after the completion of land reform in her area.

Chi Kuei-chih braved the opposition of her mother and became a skilled lathe turner. Her fellow workers acknowledged her ability and craftsmanship by electing her "Special Model Worker"