Born: 1908 (Liuyang, China)
Died: 1990
Li Zhen (Chinese: 李贞; 1908–1990) was the first female general of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Born the sixth daughter to a peasant family in rural Liuyang, Li’s upbringing was marked by poverty and hard work. Her family farmed fields measuring 2 and a half mu and relied on catching fish to supplement their diet. Despite these challenges, Li showed remarkable determination and resilience from a young age.
Until the age of 18, Li was referred to as Danmeizi, and at age six, she was sent to live with the family of her intended husband, Gu Tianshun. The marriage was formalized when Li turned 16. In 1926, Li joined the Yonghe district women’s organization using the name Li Zhen and committed herself to the cause of revolution. The following year, she became a member of the Communist Party of China.
During this time, Li played a crucial role as a scout for the local communists, collecting grain and recruiting soldiers. She operated primarily in the Yonghe district but remained legally married to Gu. However, the couple faced numerous challenges as a result of their involvement in the revolutionary activities.
In 1928, a clash between the Communists and the Kuomintang led to the deaths of several revolutionaries, and Li’s name was put on a wanted list. As a consequence, Gu’s family severed their ties with Li, sending her mother a notification of divorce. Undeterred by this personal setback, Li continued to rise within the ranks of the Communist Party.
By 1928, Li had become a member of the District Committee and deputy secretary of the Party Branch of the Pingliu Guerillas. She later assumed leadership of the Liudong Guerilla Unit Soldiers’ Committee, which eventually evolved into the Liuyang County Party Committee. It was during this period that Li played a crucial role in rallying members of her troop to join the fighting during the Autumn Harvest Uprising in 1929.
Li’s bravery and leadership qualities were tested in early 1929 when her guerilla unit was encircled by forces of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). Despite being outnumbered and running out of ammunition, Li and her five companions fought until nightfall. Facing imminent capture, Li made the fateful decision to avoid being taken alive. She courageously jumped off a cliff and miraculously landed on a tree. After regaining consciousness, she and one other survivor buried their fallen comrades.
Unfortunately, Li was pregnant at the time and suffered a miscarriage shortly after her jump. There is speculation that the child she lost was with Zhang Qilong, a fellow companion who had been stationed at Liuyang since October 1927. However, official documentation suggests that Li and Qilong only officially married in 1932.
In July 1931, Li relocated to the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet, where she assumed the position of director of the Provincial Women’s Committee and political commissar of the Military Medical School. It was during this period that she made significant contributions to the revolutionary cause, particularly in advancing the rights and opportunities for women within the Communist Party.
Li’s courage and unwavering dedication to the revolution did not go unnoticed. Despite the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated army, she earned the respect and admiration of her comrades for her strategic thinking, leadership skills, and self-sacrifice.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Li Zhen was appointed as the first female general of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. She became a symbol of women’s empowerment and a role model for aspiring female revolutionaries in China and beyond.
Awards:
– Appointment as the first female general of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army
Li Zhen’s life and legacy continue to inspire generations of women to pursue their dreams and fight for gender equality. Her historic achievements in the face of adversity not only reshape the narrative of women in Chinese history but also demonstrate the indomitable spirit of human resilience and determination.