Deng Yuzhi (1900–1996)

Chinese feminist. Name variations: Cora Deng; Teng Yü-chih. Pronunciation: Ding YOU-zhee. Born Deng Yuzhi in Shashi, China, 1900; died in Shanghai, Oct 1, 1996; dau. of a government official; attended Zhou Nan Girls' Middle School, Fuxiang School for Girls, Jinling College in Nanjing, and one year at London School of Economics; married but separated shortly afterward, in 1919; no children.

Radical feminist who took an active role in China's May 4th Revolution of 1919 and, through her work for the Young Women's Christian Association, improved working conditions for women, particularly in factories, while also organizing night schools that became a forum for feminism throughout China; was orphaned at 10 (1910); sent by grandmother to Fuxiang School for Girls, where she joined the YWCA; as president of the student self-government association, became organizer in May 4th Revolution (1919); forced into an arranged marriage, left husband and his family to attend Jinling College in Nanjing (1919); pursued by husband's family, fled to Shanghai where she worked several years for the YWCA; attended London School of Economics (1929–30); returned to China, appointed head of YWCA's Bureau of Labor (1930); began organizing night schools throughout China to raise women's political, social, and feminist consciousness; collaborated with Chinese Communist Party (1930–40s); appeared with Mao Zedong in Tiananmen Square on the occasion of the founding of the People's Republic of China (1949); served in numerous organizations and as general secretary of the YWCA.

See also Women in World History.