He Xiangning (1879–1972)

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He Xiangning (1879–1972)

Chinese revolutionary and feminist. Name variations: Ho Hsiang-ning. Born 1879 in Nanhai, Kwangtung, China; died 1972; dau. of a famous merchant; m. Liao Zhongkai (Liao Shung Kai or Liao Chung-k'ai), 1897 (killed 1925).

Studied with husband in Japan where both joined a group led by Sun Yat-sen (1905); became one of 3 women in Guomindang Congress (1923) and was active in feminist politics; was one of the 1st to bob her hair as a gesture of independence; after assassination of husband, left job as head of women's department of Guomindang and went to Hong Kong with Song Qingling (Madame Sun Yat-sen); returned to Beijing (Peking) after the Revolution (1949) and became head of Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission until 1959 and honorary chair of the China Women's Federation (1960).