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Birth of Madame
Soong May-Ling was the fourth child of Ni Kwen-tsing, a woman of aristocratic ancestry, and Charlie Soong, a former missionary and owner of a printing company specializing in bibles printed in Chinese in Shanghai, China during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi or Tse Hsi. -
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Life through three centuries
Soong May-Ling (Sometimes spelled Mei-Ling) lived through one of the most turbulent periods of modern history and exerted considerable influence throughout. Born into a wealthy christian family in Shanghai, May-Ling went on to marry General Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the chinese nationlist. May-Ling advised, translated, and c ontrolled access to her husband all while promoting the image of a democratic and christianized China abroad. -
Off to America
Charlie Soong believed in the importance of critical thinking, self-reliance, and independence and sent all of his six children to be educated in the United States at a very young age. May-Ling and younger sister Ching-Ling, the future Honorary President of the People's Republic of China, headed to America. Ching-Ling joined sister Ai-Ling at Wesleyan. ten year old May-Ling was tutored by an English Professor's daughter (Hannah Pakula. The Last Empress. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009. Print) -
May-Ling goes to College
At the age of fifteen, May-Ling is accepted into Wesleyan College. She would later transfer to Wellsley College to be closer to her brother, TV, who was pursuing a degree at Harvard. -
May-Ling, Society Belle
After earning her degree in English Literature and Philosphy, May-Ling returned to Shanghai with her brother Tse-ven (TV). Upon her return, May-Ling was put in charge of the household affairs. This included the management of twelve servants, supervising the education of her two youngest brothers. She also became a member of the film censorship comittee and was the first Chinese man or woman asked appointed to the Child Labor Commission. -
May-Ling begins her fundraising career
In an effort to find something that did make her feel like her "mental powers [were] getting more and more dulled everyday" as she complained to an old classmate, MAy-Ling began raising money for the YWCA by going to local businesses and speaking to the owners about providing money for the organization. It is hard not to treat this as a sign of things to come. -
May-Ling meets General Chiang Kai-Shek
May-Ling is introduced to Chiang at the graduation of the Whampoa Military Academy, where Chiang was the Commandant. Throughout the next several months, Chiang will embark on the Great Northern Expedition that will unite half of China under the Kuomintang or Nationalist Party. Chiang will hence forth make frequent mentions of "sister May-Ling" and how is missing and thinking about her. -
Soong May-Ling marries Chiang Kai-Shek
After promising to read the Bible and shipping his second wife off to the United States, Chiang Kai-Shek marries Soong May-Ling in a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony -
May-Ling opens two schools for the Children of the Heroes of the Revolution
The General's wife establishes two schools for the children of Nationalist soliders. These schools, in addition to the regular course of study, children helped local farmers raise their crops and were taught the importance of self-discipline. Some worried at the time that the schools, which required children as young as six year olds to stay at the school until they turned eighteen, resembled the hitler youth. -
Chiang converts to Christianity
During the summer of 1930, facing pressure from both his mother-in-law and his wife, Chiang Kai-Shek joined the Methodist Church. Though many speculated he had done so to win the approval of the United States and European nations, due to the opening of Chiang's diaries we know this not to be the case as he makes frequent references to the trials of Jesus Christ. -
May-Ling's mother dies and her brother, T.V, is almost killed
May-Ling's mother Ni-kwei-tseng dies the same day that her brother, the finance minister of her husband's government, is almost killed. May-Ling undergoes a spirtual crisis since she had lost her mother upon whom she could always count "to prayer [her] through" whatever crisis she was facing. -
Sian Incident
Chiang Kai-Shek is held prisoner by a previously friendly war lord in the city of Sian. Madame Chiang, along with brother TV, rallies aganist a military clip that threatens to bomb the city, possibly killing Chiang in the process. May-Ling would later go to Sian with her brother in order negotiate the release of the General. Madame Chiang promised the war lord that he would not be killed for the crime and the communists supported his release. The incidents brought the Chiang's acclaim. -
May-Ling convinces former classmate Emma Mills to create an charitable organization in the US to aid the nationalist
The board would become known as the American Bureau of Medical Aid to China. -
Madame takes over the Chinese air force
Madame Chiang becomes the nominal head of the Chinese air force. As part of her duty she routinely visted the Chinese airfield. She encountered several destroyed planes, routinely visted the field right after an air raid to count the pilots, and made sure they had quality food. Madame was also conversant in matters related to airplane mechanics. -
Madame writes for the New York Times
Madame writes three articles for the New York Times criticizing America for not coming to the aid of China. Over the war, Madame would turn hundreds of such speeches and articles, intended to impress upon the American Government and American People the importance of China's battles aganist both the communist and the Japanese. -
Madame Comes to the United States
After radio broadcasts, Newspaper articles, and flattering magazine profiles, Madame Chiang finally made her way to America. The purpose of her visit was to elicit a large contribution of arms and planes from the United States Government to the Nationalist Government of China. -
First Private Citizen to address Congress
May-Ling became the first private citizen and second woman to address both houses of congress. In her speeches she spoke about the importance of standing up for your beliefs and the long history of friendship between the United States and China. She was applauded thunderously in Congress and in the media. -
Cairo Conference
Winston Churchill, FDR, Chiang Kai-Shek, and Madame Chiang meet in Cairo, Egypt to discuss the Japanese front. Madame does all the translating and interpreting for her husband and becomes the only woman present at major conference during WWII. -
Madame's Farewell Address
Delivered from her sister's home on Riverside Drive, May-Ling announced her impending journey to Taiwan. Over the course of her years there, Madame did much the same work as she had before, promoting strong ties between Taiwan and the US. -
Madame founds the Women's League of Taiwan
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Death of the General
Chiang Kai-Shek died of renal failure and cardiac malfunction. By his side at the time of his death was his wife of almost fifty years, and his two sons (One from his first marriage and one the adopted son of his concubine and a good friend.) He was given an elaborate state funeral on the 16th, where diplomats bowed to a portrait of him. A service attended by 1,100 people was given in Washington, DC and presided over by Billy Graham. May retired from politics shortly after his death. -
Taiwan is expelled from the league of nations
May-Ling blamed her stepson. -
Madame goes to Congress. One last time
Madame Chiang was the guest of honor at a ceremony at the Russell Senate Office building hosted by Senators Bob Dole and Paul Simon. She gave a short two minute speech where she spoke about what World War II was like in China and how thankful she was for the Aid the US provided after 1941. Madame was ninety five at the time and when it was time to leave, seen to wave several times before finally departing. A last goodbye. -
Madame's paintings are shown in New York
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Madame Chiang dies at the age of 105 in New York City
Madame passed away in her sleep at her Gracie square apartment. She is buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. Both she and her husband stated in their wills that they wisehd to be buried in mainland China. At the time, this is not possible.