Tsen Shui Fang

Tsen Shui Fang (Chinese: 程瑞芳, 1875–1969), or Cheng Ruifang (née Yue) in some translations,[1] was a Chinese nurse who worked in tandem with American missionary Wilhelmina “Minnie” Vautrin as her assistant during the Nanjing Massacre. Together Minnie Vautrin and Tsen Shui Fang would provide help for women and children in the Ginling College. Both Tsen and Vautrin kept diaries during their time in Nanjing, or Nanking, to document everyday occurrences they witnessed during the Japanese invasion. This diary has led her to be known as the “Anne Frank of the East,”[1] as this is the only firsthand account during Nanjing Massacre by a Chinese national. On October 10, 2015, Tsen’s diary was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme. The original scripts of the diary is currently kept in the Second Historical Archives of China in Nanjing.[2]

In her early 60s, Tsen took on the role of director of dormitories at Ginling College, also known as the Jinling Women’s College. Ginling College was a safety zone, established by Americans, and was used by Tsen and Vautrin among others as a site of rescue for women and children. Tsen moved back to her hometown Wuchang, Hubei after the war ended; however, here she lived in poverty. Dr. Wu Yi Fang, the president at Ginling College during the early 1900s, offered Tsen and her family financial aid.[3]

During her lifetime, Tsen was married and had children. Tsen passed away in 1969 at the age of 94.[4] Her grandson, Cheng Guoxiang, also lived through the experience with her at Ginling College and continues to retell her story.[2]

  1. ^ a b Wei, Li 李薇 (2015). Tsen Shui Fang, the "Anne" of the East "东方安妮"程瑞芳. China Archives 中 国档案 12. p. 70.
  2. ^ a b Wei, Li 李薇 (2015). Tsen Shui Fang, the "Anne" of the East "东方安妮"程瑞芳. China Archives 中 国档案 12. p. 70.
  3. ^ Hualing., Vautrin, Minnie 1886-1941 Tsen Shui-fang 1875-1969 Hu (2010). The undaunted women of Nanking : the wartime diaries of Minnie Vautrin and Tsen Shui-Fang. Southern Illinois University Press. p. 12. ISBN 9780809329632. OCLC 699702761.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Hualing., Vautrin, Minnie 1886-1941 Tsen Shui-fang 1875-1969 Hu (2010). The undaunted women of Nanking : the wartime diaries of Minnie Vautrin and Tsen Shui-Fang. Southern Illinois University Press. p. 5. ISBN 9780809329632. OCLC 699702761.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)