Qiu Jin

A revolutionary feminist and martyr who fought against the Qing Dynasty and advocated for women's education in China.

Qiu Jin (1875–1907), known as China’s Joan of Arc, rejected traditional gender roles to become a revolutionary leader. She founded the Chinese Women’s Journal, advocating for foot-binding abolition and women's schooling. Her poem A Warning to My Sisters urged: Don’t tell me women are not the stuff of heroes—I alone rode eastward in a single boat.

Disguised in male attire, Qiu trained in martial arts and joined anti-Qung secret societies. She organized the Restoration Army to overthrow the dynasty, blending feminist ideals with nationalist rebellion. Arrested and executed at 31, her defiance inspired the 1911 Revolution. Learn more here.

Qiu Jin’s legacy thrives in modern China. Schools and museums commemorate her, while her writings remain pillars of feminist literature. She symbolized the fusion of personal liberation and collective struggle, proving that women could lead revolutions. Her life exemplifies courage in challenging oppressive systems, making her a timeless icon of resistance.