China’s Female Voice in International Relations: Wu Yi-Fang and the Founding of the United Nations in 1945

This project examines the work of Wu Yi-fang, the only female delegate from China and one of the four women to sign the United Nations Charter in 1945 at the San Francisco Conference. Eight women were present at San Francisco as official delegates from seven different countries, making significant contributions to the UN Charter. But these contributions still remain unexamined. Wu was a key figure in Chinese higher education, heading Ginling Women’s College for 23 years and representing China on the international stage. Much of the work about Wu is focused on her educational pedagogy and not her role in politics. This project aims to highlight Wu’s work in international diplomacy and discuss her role in the UN, with the objective of bringing to light the importance of female contributions to the UN. Through the examination of Wu’s work, it also analyses the relationship between China and the UN in the mid-1940s.

Faculty Supervisor:

Heidi Tworek

Student:

Partner:

Nanjing University

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: