As we approach the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, we reflect on the invaluable contributions of women whose resilience and bravery helped steer the course of history.
This International Women’s Day, we honor the extraordinary women of WWII in China — those who defied societal norms to protect communities, support troops, care for refugees, and build the infrastructure essential to the war effort. From the front lines to the skies, their efforts proved pivotal to the Allied victory.
Zhao Xiaobao
Among these remarkable women was Zhao Xiaobao, a young woman from rural China who risked her life to save four American crewmen during the Doolittle Raid of 1942. After their U.S. B-25 bomber crashed into the East China Sea near Nanjing, the airmen evaded a blockade with the aid of local fishermen. When Zhao heard the deafening roar of the crashing plane, she rushed to investigate and found the men huddled in her family’s pigsty.
Despite the grave risks of harboring Allied soldiers in occupied territory, Zhao sheltered the airmen and provided them with warm meals of egg and shrimp. Her bravery extended beyond hospitality, as she and her family secretly coordinated with other villagers to ensure the airmen could continue their journey to safety. Disguised as local fishermen, the Americans were smuggled by boat to a safer location, where they could eventually be taken further from the conflict.
Zhao’s actions carried unimaginable risk, and decades later, her heroism was formally acknowledged by the U.S. government, which invited her to the United States as a guest of honor. Her story stands as a powerful testament to the bravery and humanity of ordinary people during a time of war.
Hazel Ying Lee
While many women supported the war effort on the ground, Hazel Ying Lee broke barriers in the skies. A Chinese American aviator, Lee joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), becoming the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. military. She mastered over 20 types of military aircraft, ferrying planes from factories to airbases and testing combat-ready machines.
Lee’s exceptional skill, determination and bravery earned her widespread respect. Tragically, her life was cut short in 1944 during a mid-air collision while delivering a fighter plane. Yet, her legacy endures. In 2024, the Smithsonian honored her in a landmark publication, cementing her status as a pioneer who paved the way for women and minorities in aviation.
Margaret Chung
Margaret Chung, born in 1889 in San Francisco, made history as the first known American-born Chinese female physician, earning her medical degree in 1916 — an extraordinary achievement at a time when opportunities for women were severely limited. During World War II, she channeled her tenacity into supporting the 1st American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers, though surprisingly not in a medical capacity.
Initially tasked with recruiting pilots, Chung’s role soon expanded far beyond that. She became an essential lifeline for the pilots, sending care packages filled with homemade treats, writing heartfelt letters, and offering emotional support during their most difficult and dangerous missions. Her unwavering compassion and ability to bridge cultural divides earned her the affectionate title of “Mother of the Flying Tigers.” Chung’s support proved critical in boosting the morale of the pilots, who were stationed far from home. She became a symbol of strength, resilience, and compassion.
Women on the home front
While figures like Zhao Xiaobao, Hazel Ying Lee, and Margaret Chung eventually received recognition, countless women worked tirelessly behind the scenes to sustain China’s war effort— hauling rubble, mixing cement, and building critical airstrips for the Flying Tigers, the Doolittle Raiders, and pilots of the dangerous ‘Hump’ airlift over the Himalayan region. Others provided medical care for refugees or taught in makeshift schools amid bombings. Victory was not only achieved through the efforts of soldiers but through the collective resilience of communities.
The stories of these women — from the skies above to the fields below — showcase the many ways in which women shaped China’s wartime legacy. Though many of their contributions went unrecognized at the time, today we have the opportunity to honor their memory and ensure their stories are shared.
To delve deeper into these narratives, join our WWII-focused journeys across China, guided by journalist Melinda Liu. The daughter of Tung-Sheng Liu, an Honorary Doolittle Raider who risked his life to rescue downed pilots, Melinda has spent decades unearthing and preserving stories like these.
Walk in the footsteps of heroes, and witness how their legacies continue to shape the future.
Written by Gabrielle Keepfer
With thanks to Melinda Liu
