Zhang Jiexun

Jiang Jiexun was born in February 1922 in Beijing, with ancestral roots in Ba County, Hebei Province. She was born into a large family in Donggaogezhuang, with a total of ten siblings, and was the sixth child in the family. Her father and mother were both ordinary farmers.

In September 1934, she was admitted to the affiliated elementary school of Beijing Normal University with excellent grades, and subsequently entered the affiliated middle school of Beijing Normal University (referred to as "Shida Fuzhong"). During her time at school, she performed outstandingly and ranked among the top students. She was classmates with well-known figures such as Huang Ganying, Wang Guangmei, Ye Yijing (Ye Qun), and Li Juping.

In February 1936, at the age of only 14, she joined the Chinese National Liberation Vanguard, becoming a member of the school’s Civil Front Team, and served as the captain of the "Minxian" (Civil Front) team during that summer. In August 1937, Jiang Jiexun engaged in underground work for the "Minxian" organization in Beiping (Beijing), serving as a squad leader. In July 1938, she officially joined the Chinese Communist Party. From October of that year, she began working in the Propaganda Department of the Jinan Southern Hebei District Committee and the Southern Hebei District Party Committee, holding positions as an officer.

Starting from January 1940, she served successively as Deputy Director of the Women’s National Salvation Committee in Nangong County, Deputy Secretary of the Women’s Committee of Nangong County, as well as Minister of the Civil Movement Department and Propaganda Department of Nangong County Party Committee. Later, she also served as Director of the Education Section of the Propaganda Department of the Jinan Southern Hebei District Committee and as a member of the sub-district committee of the Beijing Academic Committee.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in February 1949, Jiang Jiexun worked in the Beijing Women’s Federation, serving successively as Deputy Director of the Organizational Liaison Department, Director of the Office, and Secretary-General. In 1961, she was promoted to Deputy Director of the International Liaison Department of the All-China Women’s Federation. Subsequently, in July 1980, she became a member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women’s Federation. She held important positions in the national women’s事业 and worked until December 1998, after which she retired.

She served as a member of the 6th, 7th, and 8th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), vice-chairman of the International Activities Committee of the All-China Women’s Federation, a director of the Chinese United Nations Association, and a member of the National Committee for the Defense of Children of China. Throughout her life, she actively participated in domestic and international women’s exchanges and cooperation, making significant contributions to strengthening the ties between Chinese women and women from around the world.

Jiang Jiexun passed away in Beijing on January 18, 2013, at the age of 90. Her death was mourned and condolenced by central leadership. Her life was rich in experience and she witnessed important stages of modern Chinese history. As a prominent leader in women’s work, she made outstanding contributions to the development of women’s事业 in China.