Chinese women have never been as abused as foreigners believed, nor as submissive as their husbands hoped. Throughout Chinese history, many women have wielded power. They have been great warriors and skilled artists. The courtesans among them are world famous. And they have been the cement of one of man's most rock-ribbed institutions, the Chinese family.
Bound feet? Yes, these existed, but not as shamefully as some critics have suggested. Only an aristocratic fraction of the population was involved. The motivation was of a cosmetic nature: tiny feet were considered beautiful. When the Republic forbade the practice as cruel and deforming, the hardened reactionaries who fought the reform were the women themselves.
Yet if the women of yesterday were nearly as powerful as those of today, theirs was a strength that was usually exercised behind the scenes. Rarely was it recognized in public, and especially not by men. It is in recognition of woman's equality and complete freedom to carve out any career of her choosing that the Republic of China has passed a new milestone in the total emancipation of the gentle sex.
This recognition was formalized in a new way February 23. Taiwan's ten outstanding young women of 1965 received citations and Golden Hands trophies in impressive ceremonies at the Ambassador Hotel. The selection was by men, principally, and those applauding the loudest in the audience of 800 were also men. In fact the selection of the ten outstanding young women received far more attention than that of 1965's ten outstanding young men.
Plaudits of Assembly
Those honored may have been proudest of the congratulations from the 200 members of their own sex who represent the nation in the National Assembly. The Assembly of more than 1,400 members had met in Taipei to discuss constitutional questions and then elect the Republic of China's president and vice president. Women serve politically at every level in free China. They are also distinguished scientists, doctors, writers, educators, athletes, soldiers, business executive and entrepreneurs—not to mention great wives and mothers.
Su Yu-chen receives trophy from Mrs. C.K. Yen. (File photo)
To formalize recognition of the achievements of young Chinese women was the idea of Taipei's Rotary Club West supported by the Chung Hua Jih Pao (China Daily News). The sponsors said they were motivated by the hope of reinforcing women's confidence in their capabilities and by the opportunity to challenge women to make even greater contributions to the nation and society. No occupational limits were set. The only requirement was for significant accomplishment by a woman aged 20 to 40. These guidelines were suggested as indicating significance:
—Contributions to the nation's anti-Communist cause.
—Upholding of China's traditional moral values.
—Inventions or scientific research and discovery.
—Important scholarship and publication.
—Creativeness in literature or the arts.
—Service in the interest of the people's welfare.
—Economic productivity that serves the people's livelihood.
—Outstanding achievements in any field of endeavor, together with exceptional conduct.
—Honors received from competitive or other international sources.
—Setting of an inspiring example for others in overcoming difficulties.
Distinguished Judges
Appropriately, the chairman of the awards committee was a gynecologist—Japan and U.S.-trained Dr. Hsu Chien-tien, the Taiwan-born president of Rotary Club West. He made the core proposal. Backing quickly came from the 70 other members of the Rotary group, and the China Daily News joined as co-sponsor. Its director, Tsu Sung-chiu, became vice chairman of the committee. Help also came from Taiwan's 26 other Rotary Club and 30 other daily newspapers. Few socio-cultural type stories in Taiwan have had such extensive coverage.
Nearly 3,000 circulars, including rules and nomination blanks, were sent to government agencies, schools, military units, civic organizations, industrial concerns, and businesses. These were asked to recommend women from within their ranks.
One hundred and two entries were received by mid-January. Preliminary screening eliminated 26. Data on the 76 qualified candidates were submitted to an eight-member selection committee. Headed by Cheng Tien-fong, vice president of the Examination Yuan, the committee had these other members.
* Huang Chi-lu, former education minister and now chairman of the Central Political Committee of the Ruling Kuomintang (Nationalist Party).
* Lt. Gen. Wego Chiang, second son of President Chiang Kai-shek, commandant of the Chinese Army Command and General Staff College.
* Ma Hsin-yeh, former Chinese ambassador to Panama, director of the Central News Agency.
* Prof. Su Hsiang-yu, head of the National Taiwan University Department of Psychology.
* Dorothy T. Kao (Mrs. Gunsun Hoh), director of the Elementary School Teachers' In-Service Education Center.
* Yeh Chu-sheng (Mrs. Morgan Cheng), director of the Ministry of Education's Department of Elementary Education.
Twenty-seven advisers, including six women, were enrolled from more than a score of human activities. Final decisions were reached by vote of the selection committee. Those chosen include an athlete, symphony orchestra conductor, newspaper reporter, two professors, a judge, psychological warfare expert, orphanage director, engineer, and a college student. Ages range from 22 to 40. Four are from Taiwan, two from Hunan, and one each from Kiangsi, Kwangtung, Fukien, and Kwangsi. Six are married.
Two Educators
One quality possessed by all is determination to work hard and succeed. As the saying goes, "Genius is 99 per cent sweat and 1 per cent inspiration." All ten women exemplify the spirit symbolized in their trophies—hands reaching upward to a limitless potential.
These are the ten:
Dr. Wang Cheng-hsia, 37, of Taipei, professor of chemistry at the Taiwan Provincial Normal University-
Dr. Wang was chosen for her achievements in organic chemistry and the part she has played in introducing new chemistry teaching materials to Taiwan high schools.
A graduate of the National Taiwan University, she received both her master's and doctor's degrees from Bryn Mawr College in the United States. Invited to do research work at Northwestern University in Illinois, she had to cut short her stay there when her physician father died in Taipei in 1959. In summer of the following year, she was sent back to the United States by the Chinese government for a science teachers' seminar sponsored by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Asia Foundation.
"You mayor may not do science research work," she said. "Other people in other countries sooner or later will do similar work and you may learn from them. But you have to carryon science education yourself because you can't borrow ready made results from abroad."
The teaching materials she has helped to introduce stress experimentation. That was the way her father taught her when she was a girl. His hobby was a home laboratory.
Dr. Wang's husband, Chen Chao-tung, also is a chemist He works for the Academia Sinica, the nation's highest research institute, and teaches at the National Taiwan University.
Dr. Li Chung-kui, 27, of Kiangsu, associate professor of jurisprudence at the National Chengchi University—
Chosen to represent the social sciences, she is known for her study of international fishery law and her representation of the Republic of China at the International Youth Conference in France.
"There is no short cut to success in study," she said. "All you can do is study, study, study with determination, perseverance, and steadiness." She was a student of diplomacy at Chengchi and later went to the University of Paris under a Chinese government scholarship that she won in a fiercely competitive examination.
She helped frustrate a Russian attempt to seat students from Peiping in the place of the free Chinese at the UNESCO-sponsored youth conference.
On her way back from Europe last autumn, she traveled in the United States and received a number of invitations to teach at American universities. She turned them down to return to her alma mater.
Miss Li's soldier father is a military instructor at a Taipei school. Her two elder brothers are also educators.
Cheng Pi-lien, 33, of Taiwan in southern Taiwan, judge of the Hsinchu District Court—
Chinese women have done well in the law, where there is scant discrimination against them. There is a large number of female jurists.
Born to merchant parents and the eldest of nine children—seven girls and two boys—Cheng Pi-lien was always at the top of her class, from primary school through National Taiwan University. She became a judge in 1958 and since have received promotion and recognition.
What she treasures most are letters and cards from those whose cases she has handled with fairness and skill in Keelung, Taipei, and Hsinchu.
Wife of a lawyer, Lai Tsung-hsien, and the mother of a daughter who is also an honor student, Cheng Pi-lien reads extensively in jurisprudence, psychology, biology, sociology, economics, etc., because "you have to know a lot before you can be a good judge." She is the author of Women in China and Their Legal Position.
Helen Quach and Dr. Hsu of Awards Committee. (File photo)
Helen Quach, 25, the first Chinese woman to receive international acclaim as a symphony orchestra conductor—
Brought up in Australia in a family from Kwangtung province, she looks like a teenager with her bobbed hair and slight stature. But after training in Australia and Italy, she has conducted major orchestras in Sicily, Copenhagen, New York, Seoul, and Taipei. She won an award for her Copenhagen conducting.
Miss Quach (or Kuo, in the Mandarin pronunciation) came to Taiwan for the first time late last year and was an immediate sensation as guest conductor of the Ministry of National Defense Band, the Taiwan Provincial Symphony Orchestra, and the newly organized Taipei Municipal Orchestra. The Ministry of Education gave her a citation and gold medal.
Taipei musicians and music lovers were struck by her sincerity and dedication. She in turn was impressed and moved to tears by the determination of Chinese musicians to achieve recognition and bring great music to a people whose ears are not yet conditioned to symphonic works.
"In the West, people pay high prices to hear live music," she said. "European and American orchestra musicians can therefore channel all their energies into polishing their skill. Things are different in Taiwan." Most musicians still must earn their living doing something else.
Miss Quach left for Seoul in mid-February, a few days before the awards ceremony. She was represented by Mrs. Kao Hsin, wife of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission chairman.
Back in Taiwan in mid-March for another two-month stay, she was planning to visit Japan and the United States.
Chi Cheng, 22, of Miaoli in north-central Taiwan, pentathlon star and the greatest woman athlete China has ever produced—
World record holder in the 50-yard low hurdles (6.5 second January 9, 1966), Miss Chi is attending school in Los Angeles and training for the Asia Games in Bangkok next December and the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.
Her great promise was discovered in October, 1962, at the 17th annual Taiwan Provincial Athletic Meet. As an 18-year-old high school student, she won the pentathlon with 4,142 points—11.9 seconds in the 80-meter low hurdles (904 pts.), 26.9 seconds in the 200-meter run (771 pts.), 9.32 meters in the shot put (662 pts.), 1.57 meters in the high jump (913 pts.), and 5.58 meters in the broad jump (892 pts.).
In 1963, Chi Cheng was sent to the University of Hawaii under a Chinese government scholarship. She later went on to Los Angeles to work under coach Vincent Reel. Since then, she has steadily improved her marks and won many events in U.S. and international meets.
She is now rated among the world's top 25 women athletes in six outdoor events, among the top 10 in three outdoor events, and as the world's fastest woman in the 50 yard low hurdles. Miss Chi's indoor records are even better; she is among the world's top five in four events.
Tang Lo-sung, 32, of Hunan, principal of the private Ti-hwei Orphanage in Taipei—
Her orphanage began as a day nursery to solve a practical problem—the need for a reliable, safe place for children, including her own, to stay while their mothers were at work. This was eight years ago, and she was working as nurse at a Taipei clinic for military dependents.
On her way home one day, she found her son standing on the edge of a deep pit at his nursery school. No one was watching out for him.
What if he had fallen in? She kept asking herself that question through a sleepless night. The next morning she decided to open a nursery that mothers could depend on.
Again, she was dissatisfied. She knew that an even greater need was for an orphanage. Against almost everyone's advice, she invested what little money she had saved plus her husband's retirement pay from the military.
Soon she began to lose weight. She became seriously ill from overwork and was hospitalized. On her sick bed, her concern was not for her health but for the children she had left at the orphanage.
Ti-hwei is still in business. Many difficulties have been overcome; many more lie ahead. Friends still advise her to quit. She will not, now or ever.
Young though the 70 children under her care may be, they are grateful for what Tang Lo-sung has done for them. Eight of the older children took the initiative in collecting money so they could give her a present. The result was a NT$39 orchid corsage pinned on her by representatives of the children at the Ambassador Hotel ceremony. It was a token that she appreciated more than her trophy. Spectators also were moved. Like the children, they cried.
Liu Chuan-hsiang 24, of Hunan, sociology major at the National Taiwan University—
Formerly a medical student at Wuhan University on the Chinese mainland, she escaped to freedom in 1961.
Since then she has made more than 260 public appearances to tell of the tyranny of the Peiping regime.
Also cited were her achievements in literature. Her novel The Four Altitudes won a top award in the Chinese Armed Forces Arts and Literature Contest last year. The story is autobiographical and concerned with her ordeal under the Communists. The "four altitudes" are junior high school, senior high school, college, and the awakening to the truth about the Chinese Reds. She entered the novel in the military contest in her capacity as a naval officer's wife.
Chang Chiu-hsiang, 26, of Huwei in central Taiwan, a psychological warfare specialist—
She was selected for her contributions to the support of troop activities on free Chinese offshore islands and to psychological warfare, mainly through loudspeaker broadcasts, against the Chinese Communists.
Miss Chang was 16 when she joined the Women's Auxiliary Corps after her graduation from the Huwei Junior Middle School. After four months of training, she was assigned as a song leader on Taiwan and then on the offshore island. At first the soldiers felt ill at ease. Subsequently, her persistence and sincerity won trust and cooperation.
During the Communist saturation shelling of Kinmen during the fall of 1958, she helped save the lives of at least 33 wounded soldiers. This and her constant endeavors to learn brought her the title of "model WAC" in 1960. She was among the armed forces heroes honored on New Year's Day, 1963. A filial daughter of her widowed mother, Miss Chang is now a captain and company commander.
Su Yu-chen, of Fukien, a reporter of Taipei's Chung Yang Jih Pao (Central Daily News)—
Chosen for her excellent sports coverage, she has won the sup port of overseas Chinese students through her book, The Fatherland and the Rising Generation.
Born and brought up in Indonesia, Miss Su was among the first overseas students to reach Taiwan in 1950. The book resulted from her four years at the National Taiwan University, where she was an English-language major. It has been regarded abroad as a kind of guidebook to education in free China.
In August of 1958, she won a dramatic cold war victory for free China and a medal from President Chiang Kai-shek. Touring Southeast Asia as a reporter attached to a girls' basketball team, she literally smuggled herself and the players into Indonesia one dark and windy night. Ten bodyguards were hired for them by Miss Su's father and other patriotic Chinese in Jakarta. The team played nearly 100 games before leaving the country. At the instigation of Peiping, Jakarta was about to take action.
Miss Su also has been to the Vietnam warfront. Last year she went to the United States.
Chen Chieh-ying 40, of Kwangsi, technician of the China Productivity and Trade Center, chosen for development of new methods in the manufacture of ceramics—
A chemical engineering graduate of the National Kwangsi University, Miss Chen is a topmost expert in her field. She has found ways to economize on the import of kaolin clay that Taiwan does not produce. She also is a key figure in ceramics classes that have trained· more than 300 workers.
Chen Chieh-ying finds time to do the cooking herself, take care of her civil servant husband, and look after their two children.
Equal With Men
Free China's ten outstanding young women were honored on the 61st anniversary of Rotary and two weeks before the Women's Day of March 8.
Premier C.K. Yen, who served as the first Rotary president in Taipei 18 years ago, made the address. Mrs. Yen handed out the awards. He took note of the fact that Rotary exists only in free countries. Taiwan now has 27 Rotary Clubs with 941 members.
Premier Yen pointed out that in free China, women have legal, political, professional, and domestic freedom. They have equality with men in every respect and are free to make their own lives.
On the Chinese mainland, by contrast, women have neither freedom nor security. Even the refuge of the home is lost to them. Filial piety, the comfort of many a mother in her old age, has been replaced by piety to the regime. Under the Chinese Communists, the recognition of 10 outstanding young women would be unthinkable. All women on the mainland must be reduced to the same faceless anonymity.
In the Republic of China, plans are going ahead to make the Golden Hands awards an annual event. As one of the sponsors said, "There are 6 million women in the province of Taiwan. If the true story of their hard work and sacrifices was told, probably 5,999,999 of them would be en titled to recognition."
Chinese women are outstanding. The first to attest to that are their men. Possibly that is why Chinese women are among the freest in the world—assured not only of equality, but of a special place in the body politic solely on a basis of their sex.