It will be noted that the majority of the women of whose work I have written received a part of their education in America. My reason for selecting these women is not because those whose training has been received wholly in China are not doing equally good work, but because it is difficult to gather definite information in regard to the women whose lives have been spent entirely in their native country. The fact that most of the biographies in this book are of women in professional life is due to the same cause. The great aim of the girls' schools in China is, rightly, to furnish such training as shall prepare their students to be worthy wives and mothers, and the large majority of those who attend the schools find their highest subsequent usefulness in the home. But in China, as in other countries, the life of the woman in the home remains, for the most part, unwritten. I have therefore told the stories of the women concerning whose work I have been able to obtain definite information, believing that they fairly represent the educated women of China who, wherever their education has been received, and in whatever sphere it is being used, are ably and bravely playing an important part in the moulding of the great new China. For much of the material for these sketches I am indebted to friends of the women of whom I have written. To all such my hearty thanks are due. For personal reminiscences, letters, and photographs, I am most grateful. M. E. B. Contents DR. HÜ KING ENG I. CHILDHOOD IN A CHRISTIAN HOME 15 II. EDUCATION IN CHINA AND AMERICA 23 III. BEGINNING MEDICAL WORK IN CHINA 39 IV. THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN 44 V. THE FAVOUR OF THE PEOPLE 58 MRS. AHOK I. THE MISTRESS OF A HOME OF WEALTH 73 II. WORK AMONG THE WOMEN OF THE UPPER CLASSES 82 III. A JOURNEY TO ENGLAND 90 IV. PATIENT IN TRIBULATION 101 DR. IDA KAHN I. CHILDHOOD IN THREE COUNTRIES 115 II. AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 121 III. SEVEN YEARS IN KIUKIANG 126 IV. PIONEER WORK IN NANCHANG 140 DR. MARY STONE I. WITH UNBOUND FEET 161 II. THE DANFORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 169 III. WINNING FRIENDS IN AMERICA 183 IV. A VERSATILE WOMAN 190 YU KULIANG 221 ANNA STONE I. EAGER FOR EDUCATION 233