Breaking the Cycle: Zhang Guimei’s Mission to Educate Underprivileged Girls
Principal Zhang Guimei of Huaping Women’s High School recently told a student, when she came with her husband to donate, “Get out! I worked so hard to get you out of the mountainous area, but now you’ve become a full-time housewife.”
Zhang, who is in her senior years, is the Party Secretary and Principal of Lijiang Huaping Women’s High School, as well as the Director of Huaping Children’s Welfare Institute. She is a “teacher mom” to students of all ethnic groups and a “real mom” to 136 orphans.
She helped 1804 girls from poor mountain villages enter college.
Understanding Zhang’s experience, one can grasp her disappointment seeing students she raised with great effort choose to resign and become housewives, instead of striving on their own.
Zhang is not a feminist. Her dedication to educating impoverished female students in mountainous areas stemmed from her early realization that these girls were trapped in a cycle: early marriage, farm work, childbirth. After having daughters, they repeated their mothers’ path, attending school casually, dropping out, working, marrying, and having children.
Education can change one’s fate, but these girls were not unwilling to study; they lacked opportunities due to poverty.
Zhang identified this issue and established a school in the mountains. As long as the children were willing to study, she would accept them, providing them with a chance to break free from the cycle of destiny through education.
However, despite her efforts, some of her students still fell into the same trap, leading to Zhang’s outburst. Her remarks, though harsh, were from a woman’s perspective.
While marriage and career conflicts may require compromise, women often bear the responsibility of child-rearing, leading to inevitable sacrifices.
Some argue that raising children is more crucial than a career, as time with children is irreplaceable, unlike work. One cannot have it all, and Zhang’s concerns are valid.
Living in a patriarchal society, women must understand that standing equal to men garners respect. Marriage isn’t security; it’s a partnership. Independence is key to success.
In cases of childcare without help, like a neighbor raising two children alone due to her mother-in-law’s refusal to assist, women must not abandon their careers. Children grow up, and being unprepared for that day isn’t an option.
It’s tough for women in the initial years of childcare, but giving up oneself, while understandable, may leave one lonely in the end.
Being a full-time housewife doesn’t mean just watching TV; it’s about self-improvement. Accumulate skills for future integration into society.
Women should not limit themselves to being men’s shadows. Only by standing tall alongside men can they realize their true value.
