He Zizhen was born during the transition of China from traditional to modern. It was a society that still devalued women. Just like many other women of her day she saw the Communist revolution as the way out. She is credited with being one of the first students in her school to cut off her thick plait, signaling her equality with men. In 1926 she joined the Communist Youth League and soon after became a full member of the communist party.
He Zizhen met Mao Zedong in the mountains of Jinggangshan. He was 34 and she was only 17. At the time he was still married, but they soon became lovers and eventually husband and wife. Though she was the wife of a leader she was often looked upon as an equal from other party members. He Zizhen took part
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