Born: 1892 (Hanyang, Hubei)
Biography:
Wu Shuqing (Chinese: ; 1892 – unknown) was a Chinese feminist, nationalist, and revolutionary who formed and led one of the first all-female rebel militias of the Xinhai Revolution in 1911. A 19-year-old student at the time, Wu managed to convince Li Yuanhong, the revolutionaries’ commander-in-chief, to allow her to raise the Women’s Revolutionary Army, which eventually counted between 100 and several hundred members.
Wu was born to Han Chinese parents in Hanyang, Hubei, in 1892. She was noted for her physical strength, bravery, and intelligence by contemporaries. Wu deeply believed in gender equality and the idea that every citizen, regardless of gender, should support and defend their nation. For Wu, that meant fighting for the Great Han nation against foreign powers and the ruling Qing dynasty, which she regarded as Manchu bastards suppressing the Han Chinese.
During the Xinhai Revolution, Wu’s readiness to take up arms to fight against the Manchu Qing dynasty drew comparisons to Hua Mulan, the legendary Chinese woman warrior. When the Wuchang Uprising against the Qing government broke out in October 1911, Wu was attending Hanyang’s Fengtian Normal College. Shortly after the uprising began, she sent a letter to Li Yuanhong, the commander-in-chief of the revolutionaries, proposing the formation of an armed female brigade to aid the rebels.
At first, Li rejected Wu’s proposal, believing it would be difficult to incorporate women into the all-male rebel army. However, Wu was determined and sent a second letter on October 31 while publishing her views in the Minli Newspaper. She stated her desire to join the battle was not for momentary glory but as her duty to fight for the revolution and, if necessary, die in battle. Wu argued that since men from every societal class and region were joining the rebels, it was unjustifiable to exclude women, especially when many of them had trained in gymnasia to prepare for the physical demands of war.
Following Wu’s second letter and requests from other militant women who wanted to fight for the revolution, Li relented and gave Wu permission to form the Women’s Revolutionary Army. Wu’s leadership and determination fueled the morale and effectiveness of her unit as they participated in the Battles of Hankou and Nanjing. Despite having little military experience, Wu proved to be a capable commander, personally leading her unit into combat and gaining recognition among the Chinese rebels.
After the Xinhai Revolution, Wu’s unit was disbanded, and information regarding her later life remains unknown. However, her contributions as a feminist, nationalist, and revolutionary were significant. By forming and leading an all-female rebel militia, Wu challenged societal norms and highlighted the importance of gender equality in the fight for national liberation. She embodied the spirit of Chinese women who were willing to take up arms and sacrifice for the greater cause.