Wang Shulan

Wang Shulan (1896–1964), from Xiangxiang, Hunan, married Mao Zemin in 1913 and later assisted him in revolutionary activities. In 1914, Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui returned to Shaoshan to carry out the rural movement; she actively received progressive youth, helped hold secret meetings, and promoted women's participation in anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggles. The following year, she became vice chairwoman of the Women’s Federation of Xiangtan Special District, established a women’s vocational school, and promoted cultural and skills education. She joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1916, participated in peasant movements, and served as a secret courier for the CCP in Changsha. She was arrested and subjected to severe torture but never betrayed party secrets. In 1918, she was imprisoned again for continued revolutionary activities and secretly co-founded a temporary CCP branch in prison with her fellow detainees. In 1919, she escaped from prison by jailbreak and led her children to find the party organization, but was unsuccessful. In 1938, she returned to Shaoshan to assist in restoring the CCP Shaoshan branch and mobilized her family to go to Yan'an. Later, she worked in the CCP Xiangning Central County Committee and the Eighth Route Army Office, secretly mobilizing the masses for the Anti-Japanese War. In 1949, she established a CCP branch in Linwu County, developed party organizations, and raised funds for the revolution. After the founding of New China, Wang Shulan received visitors at Mao Zedong’s former residence, promoted revolutionary deeds, and passed away on July 6, 1964.