Wonderful Women - Minnie Vautrin

Today I'm introducing a new semi-regular feature on The Daily Lalee: Wonderful Women and Marvelous Men.  There are many stories of striking heroism that become obscured by time and indifference.  WW/MM will shake the cobwebs off some of these stories and shine light on the lives of people who should be remembered. 

If you know a story of forgotten heroism, please let me know!  I will do my best to include it in a future WW/MM feature.

Minnie Vautrin was born in Illinois in 1886 and spent much of her childhood working to save money to go to college.  After graduating cum laude from the University of Illinois in 1912, she went to China and helped found a girls' school in Nanking.  In 1937, when Japanese soldiers perpetrated what is now known as the "Rape of Nanking," Vautrin, along with a group of concerned foreigners, created the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone to enforce a neutral area where Nanking residents would be safe from violence.  The Safety Zone leaders stayed in Nanking to protect its people, despite many opportunities to flee.  During this time, Vautrin welcomed thousands of refugees into her school and kept marauding troops at bay with little other than her wits.  Her tireless negotiations with Japanese officers probably saved thousands of lives.

Vautrin could not be in all places at all times, and so could not always protect her charges in the Safety Zone.  From time to time, Japanese soldiers would enter the Safety Zone, often using the excuse that they were searching for prostitutes and other criminals, then carry off dozens of women, and rape and execute them at will.  The stress of her daily heroism and the haunting images of the many months of the massacre took a serious toll on Vautrin.  In 1940, she suffered a mental breakdown and returned to the United States on furlough.  A few months later, she killed herself. 

American travellers to China have told me that the events of World War II are still very present for the people of China, especially the elderly, and that they continue to be deeply emotional about the American contribution to the protection of their country.  These feelings are certainly present in Nanking, where residents still refer to Vautrin as "The Goddess of Nanking."