Born: 1871 (Hengshan County, Hunan)
Died: 1937
Biography:
Tang Qunying (Chinese: 唐群英; 8 December 1871 – 3 June 1937) was the first female member of the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance), a secret society and underground resistance movement founded in Tokyo, Japan by Sun Yat-sen and Song Jiaoren in 1905. Tang has been cited as one of the best-known women activists in modern Chinese history. She was chairwoman of the Women’s Suffrage Alliance, an organization created by the merger of the Nanjing Women’s Alliance, the Women’s Backup Society, the Women’s Martial Spirit Society, and the Women’s Suffrage Comrades’ Alliance in 1912. In 1913, she founded Women’s Rights Daily, Hunan’s first newspaper for women. For her contributions in overthrowing the ruling dynasty in China, Sun Yat-sen personally met her and acclaimed her work, and she was awarded a second-class Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain.
Early Life:
Tang was born on 8 December 1871 in Hengshan County, Hunan, as Tang Gongyi. She was the third of seven children (three sons and four daughters) and the second-to-youngest daughter of a general during the Qing Dynasty rule. Even as a young child, Tang displayed rebellious behavior toward her mother. However, she was very close to her father, who treated her and her sisters as equals and educated them along with his sons. Tang’s father often recited tales of Mulan and the Yang Family Warriors, instilling in her a sense of bravery and a passion for justice. Tang excelled in her studies and was also a talented poet. At the age of 15, she wrote her first poem, Getting up at Dawn, which was praised by her father and laid the foundation for her advocacy of women’s rights. Tang’s father also taught her horse riding and swordsmanship, leading him to affectionately call her a female knight-errant, while her mother referred to her as wild like a monkey. Tang was regarded as a child prodigy, known for her quick wit and sharp intellect.
Personal Life:
After her father’s death in 1890, Tang married Zeng Zhuangang (the cousin of Zeng Guofan) in 1891, at the age of 19. Zeng came from the neighboring village of Heye (Lotus Leaf) and belonged to an elite family with connections to another famous feminist leader of China, Qiu Jin. Tang’s marriage to Zeng exposed her to new political ideas and provided her with influential contacts. Tragedy struck when her first and only daughter died at the age of three in 1896 due to fever, and her husband passed away in 1897. Following her husband’s death, Tang defied societal norms and returned to her parental family at the Three Good Fortune Hall. Encouraged by feminist friends like Qiu Jin, Tang devoted herself to advocating for women’s rights and promoting social equality.
Achievements and Activism:
Tang Qunying’s involvement in the Tongmenghui marked a significant milestone in Chinese history, as she became the first female member of this underground revolutionary movement. The Tongmenghui aimed to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a democratic republic in China. Tang’s commitment to the cause gained recognition from Sun Yat-sen himself, and she received the second-class Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain for her contributions to the revolution.
As chairwoman of the Women’s Suffrage Alliance, Tang played a crucial role in promoting women’s rights. Her organization, formed by merging several existing women’s alliances, aimed to advocate for suffrage and equality for women in China. Tang’s efforts in establishing Women’s Rights Daily, the first women’s newspaper in Hunan, facilitated the dissemination of information and empowered women to participate actively in society. Through her writings and speeches, Tang raised awareness about issues affecting women, such as access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Tang Qunying’s determination to challenge societal norms and fight for women’s rights paved the way for future generations of Chinese women. Her activism and leadership have cemented her place as one of the most prominent women activists in modern Chinese history.
Awards:
– Second-class Order of the Precious Brilliant Golden Grain (for contributions to the revolution)