Feminist, Educator, First Chinese Female College President
Degree: Ph.D. in Biology
Graduation year: 1928
Biography
Wu Yifang was born in a literary family on January 26th 1893 in Wuchang, Hubei.[i] She later moved to Nanjing and graduated in 1919 from Jinling Women’s College in Nanjing, one of the first schools that offered college course to Chinese women during that period of time.[ii]
Read moreWu received the Barbour Scholarship at the University of Michigan in 1922, which has enabled her to continue to pursue her education at the University.[iii] She received her Master Degree and Ph.D. in Biology from the University in 1928.[iv] Upon receiving her Ph.D. degree, she was unexpectedly invited to become the President of the Jinling’s Women’s College, in where she remained her capacity until 1951.[v] Wu developed a distinguished career in the field of education during her serve in Nanjing and eventually becoming dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Nanjing University, and serving as Commissioner of Education for Jiangsu Province.[vi] In the meanwhile, Wu represented China at the International Women’s Congress in 1933, and in the March of 1945, she was a member of the Chinese delegation at the founding session of the United Nations in San Francisco.[vii] After the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, Wu became the delegate to the National People’s Congress from 1961 to 1978.[viii]
Intellectual Influence
Wu also was the very first female college president in the Chinese history followed by her appointment as the President at the Jinling Women’s College in 1932.[ix]
Read moreWu’s contribution to her country was acknowledged in her devotion as a women activist and educator, where she endeavored to bring education opportunities more accessible to female students.[x] Her achievement was recognized internationally where she was awarded the Athena Award by the University of Michigan Alumni Association in 1979, at the age of 86.[xi]
Wu also was a Chinese delegate to the United Nations, and the very first and only woman to sign in the UN Chapter.[xii]
Publication Showcase
[book_showcase id=”560″]
Bibliography *Profile photo obtained from: University of Michigan Online Exhibit. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/history-of-race-at-um/item/5828?exhibit=151&page=1353. Accessed: Jan 17th, 2017 [i]Guangzhou Daily 广州日报. Wu Yifang: Zhongsheng Weihun de Zhongguo Shouwei Nvxing Xiaozhang 吴贻芳：终身未婚的中国首位女性校长 [Wu Yifang: the first Chinese female college president who never got married]. Xinhuawang 新华网. Last modified: June 23, 2012. http://news.xinhuanet.com/edu/2012-06/23/c_123320690.htm. Accessed: January 30 2017. [ii]Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity. Wu Yifang. http://www.bdcconline.net/en/stories/w/wu-yifang.php. Accessed: January 30, 2017 [iii] Michigan Story: The History of Race at U-M. Alumni Stories: Wu Yifang. University of Michigan Online Exhibits. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/history-of-race-at-um/after-u-m/alumni-stories. Accessed: January 30 2017. [iv] Michigan Story: The History of Race at U-M. Alumni Stories: Wu Yifang. University of Michigan Online Exhibits. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/history-of-race-at-um/after-u-m/alumni-stories. Accessed: January 30 2017. [v] Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity. Wu Yifang. http://www.bdcconline.net/en/stories/w/wu-yifang.php. Accessed: January 30, 2017 [vi] Michigan Story: The History of Race at U-M. Alumni Stories: Wu Yifang. University of Michigan Online Exhibits. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/history-of-race-at-um/after-u-m/alumni-stories. Accessed: January 30 2017. [vii] Michigan Story: The History of Race at U-M. Alumni Stories: Wu Yifang. University of Michigan Online Exhibits. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/history-of-race-at-um/after-u-m/alumni-stories. Accessed: January 30 2017. [viii] Michigan Story: The History of Race at U-M. Alumni Stories: Wu Yifang. University of Michigan Online Exhibits. https://www.lib.umich.edu/online-exhibits/exhibits/show/history-of-race-at-um/after-u-m/alumni-stories. Accessed: January 30 2017. [ix] 罗玲 智慧女神厚生树人—中国第一位大学女校长吴贻芳 教育与职业 Education and Vocation, September 2006 [x] 吴贻芳的女性培育思想、实践以及现实意义 [xi]University of Michigan Alumni Association. Alumni Award Recipients. http://clubs.alumni.umich.edu/alumnae/athena. Accessed: January 30, 2017 [xii]“A dangerous experiment:”Women at the University of Michigan. Yi-fang Wu: Empowering Chinese Women. http://michiganintheworld.history.lsa.umich.edu/dangerousexperiment/exhibits/show/beyondcampus/levi-barbour-and-the-scholarsh/wu-yifang--empowering-chinese-. Accessed: January 30 2017.
