Soong Ching-Ling - a Chinese Woman

Soong Ching-ling

        Soong Ching-ling is a world famous Chinese woman who lived in the twentieth century. She is considered the mother of China. Her story has influenced generations of Chinese people. She was a patriot who fought for democracy, internationalism and communist. She got married to Sun Yat-sen and spent her whole life devoted to the revolution. During about seventy years of a revolutionary career, she was indomitable, determined, and heroic. After the 1949 foundation of New China, she started to work on women and children's health care and cultural and educational benefits. She fought for the reunification of the motherland, safeguarding world peace and promoting the cause of human progress as well. Soong Ching-ling’s contribution is indelible and transformable for the whole world.

Soong Ching-ling was born on January 27th, 1893 in Shanghai. She was a highly well educated woman. Soong Ching-ling could get educated is because of her family background. Her father is Jiashu Soong, who is known as Charlie Jones Soong. Charlie went to America alone to join his uncle when he was only twelve years old. Charlie got good education in several seminaries and became a Christian in America. After he graduated, he went back to China and became a missionary. After two years, he got married with Guizhen Ni, who is the mother of Soong Ching-ling. Guizhen is the posterity of Xu Guangqi, who is the famous scholar and scientist in Ming Dynasty. Guizhen is also a well-educated woman and a Christian as well. She is a famous female revolutionary during the old Chinese Democratic Revelation period. After Charlie and Guizhen got married, they founded the Chinese Young Men’s Christian Association, created a printing house, and printed Bible in Chinese.

There were six children in the family. Soong E-ling is the big sister of Soong Ching-ling. Soong Ching-ling is the second child. After Soong Ching-ling, there are four children: Tse-ven Soong, Soong May-ling, Soong Zi-liang and Soong Zi-an. All these six children were successful. Because the parents are both well educated and the family was wealthy, the parents decided to send all six children to America to get great education. Soong Ching-ling went to a private school in Shanghai when she was seven years old. In 1907, Soong Ching-ling and her younger sister Soong May-ling went to America. They learned English in a private school in New Jersey and then Soong Ching-ling was admitted to the Wesleyan Women College, which was in Georgia. During college, Soong Ching-ling was very smart, studious, had active thinking, and always participated in school activities. In 1913, Soong Ching-ling graduated with outstanding scores and got Bachelor of Arts degree.

Soong Ching-ling admired Sun Yat-sen, who was the great forerunner of bourgeois revolution in modern China, and the good friend of Soong Ching-ling’s father. After Soong Ching-ling graduated from America, she became Sun Yat-sen’s assistant. Soong Ching-ling totally agreed with Sun Yat-sen’s revolution theory. She wanted to help and support Sun Yat-sen, and struggle with him. So she decided to get married with Sun Yat-sen. The whole Soong family, except Soong May-ling, strongly disagreed with the marriage. One reason is that Soong Ching-ling was only twenty-two years old, but Sun Yat-sen was already forty-nine years old. Soong Ching-ling was so brave and stubborn. She had indifference to fame and fortune, and abandoned her great wealthy life, got married with Sun Yat-sen desperately in October 25th, 1915. Soong Ching-ling started her exile life with Sun Yat-sen and she never regretted it. This is also the start of Soong Ching-ling’s revolution career.