Huang Ganying

Huang Ganying (January 11, 1935 – January 11, 2023) was an important figure in China's women's movement and international women's affairs. She was born in Beijing, with ancestral roots in Shuigang Town, Meixian County, Meizhou, Guangdong Province. Her father was Huang Xiqian, who served as the speaker of the temporary parliament of Guangdong during the Republic of China era; he was a diplomat and political activist. Despite her prominent family background, she was not deterred from dedicating herself to revolutionary activities at an early age.

During her childhood, Huang Ganying experienced family upheaval: both her parents passed away, leaving her孤苦伶仃 (orphaned and lonely), but she remained resilient, diligent, and eager to learn. In 1935, she participated in the "December 9th" student movement. At the age of 14, she joined the Chinese National Liberation Vanguard, and in 1937, she officially became a member of the Chinese Communist Party. During the Anti-Japanese War, she served successively as Propaganda Minister and Women's Committee Secretary of W County in Jinan Anti-Japanese Base Area, as well as Minister of Student Movements in Chui County. In 1943, she was transferred back to Beiping (Beijing) to engage in ideological work among upper-class circles and intellectuals. In 1948, she was assigned to the Central Women's Committee of Pingshan County, actively participating in establishing and promoting the founding of the All-China Women's Federation, laying a foundational contribution to women's work.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Huang Ganying held various positions including Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the All-China Women's Federation, Deputy Minister of Urban Work Department, Deputy Director of Policy Research Office, Deputy Minister and Minister of the International Department. During this period, she actively promoted women's rights, visited over forty countries, attended numerous international women's conferences, represented Chinese women as a member of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and served as Deputy Chair of the Chinese Organizing Committee for the International Year of Peace.

During the Cultural Revolution, Huang Ganying suffered severe persecution and was imprisoned in Qincheng Prison for eight years. After her rehabilitation, she continued working at the All-China Women's Federation, serving as Vice Chair and Deputy Party Committee Secretary. After 1978, she resumed her international women's work, making significant contributions to safeguarding women's rights globally and promoting the development of Chinese women's事业 (career/development).

In her later years, Huang Ganying dedicated herself to promoting Hakka culture and national reunification. She initiated the establishment of the Beijing Hakka Overseas Friendship Association, advanced Hakka cultural exchanges, and actively participated in cross-strait relations and ethnic unity. She also contributed to her hometown in Shuigang Town, Meixian County, Guangdong, by building roads and bridges, improving rural infrastructure, demonstrating her深厚的革命传统和客家血脉 (deep revolutionary tradition and Hakka heritage).

Huang Ganying authored her autobiography, "The Unwavering Life of a Hakka Girl," detailing her tumultuous yet remarkable life. She received numerous national and societal honors, becoming an outstanding representative of China's women's movement and international交流 (exchange). With a profound revolutionary legacy and Hakka roots, she passed away in Beijing due to illness on January 11, 2023, at the age of 102.