Chai Ling – Tiananmen Square Protest Leader

Chai Ling – Tiananmen Square Protest Student Leader

During my attendance at the 2012 Urbana Missions Conference, I had the honor of listening to Chai Ling speak about her experience as the Commander-in-Chief of students during the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989 in China. When the Chinese military stopped the “protests” by killing hundreds to thousands in a massacre, Chai Ling went underground becoming 1 of 21 most-wanted students in China.

She eventually escaped via cargo box to the United States. She told us about pursuing the American dream, completing Ivy League degrees, finding love, and succeeding as an entrepreneur. Yet she described that her true longing for freedom, purpose, and peace only became satisfied when she had a spiritual awakening. A newfound love for God would change her life unlike any event prior!

What was shocking to me as I listened to her story was that she described everything with unrelenting hope and out-of-this-world power. Her face was bright and unflinching as she spoke. She would confidently strike her fist into the air whenever she exclaimed something. There was just something so powerful about her faith as she described her experiences about China, rape, abortion, and a multitude of sufferings. She explained her mission now was to love God, mobilize young people like us, and heal the lives of women in China!

Chai Ling founded All Girls Allowed which is dedicated to restore life, value, and dignity to girls and mothers. It’s mission is to reveal the injustice of China’s one-child policy. She has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize and currently holds the most heroic place in my heart!