The “modern-day Mulan." The “Chinese Joan of Arc.” “China's first feminist” These names have all been used to describe Qiu Jin, who defied tradition to become a revolutionary leader in China's Qing dynasty. Qiu Jin was born in the Fujian Province of southeastern China. Her early life was traditional: she went to school, loved horses and books, and did as she was told. Following traditional practice, her feet were wrapped tightly in cloth to prevent them from developing properly. Small feet were considered more beautiful, but it was painful and debilitating practice. When she was 21, in 1896, her father forced her to get married. China was then undergoing a major transition, After nearly 300 years under the rule of the corrupt Qing dynasty, many believed it was time for change. Revolution was in the air—and so were new ideas about women's roles in society. During a trip to Beijing, Qiu heard all about this. She wanted to know more, so she studied feminist literature. She couldn't stand her husband, writing that he treated her as, “less than nothing.” These developments gave her the courage to do something unheard of: she left her marriage, sold her jewelry to raise money, and moved by herself to Tokyo, Japan. There Qiu joined several secret societies committed to overthrowing the Chinese government. She believed change could “WITH ALL MY HEART | BESEECH AND BEG MY 200 MILLION FEMALE COMPATRIOTS TO ASSUME THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS CITIZENS. ARISE! ARISE! CHINESE WOMEN, ARISE!” ot occur until men and women were equal. She admired Hua Mulan, the Chinese warrior who had dressed like a man in order to take her father’s place in the army, Qiu also studied martial arts, and wearing men's suits became her trademark, She often carried a sword, calling herself “Jin Xiong,” or “able to compete with men.” Qiu wanted to share her ideas with as many women as possible. She wrote essays, but many Chinese women couldn't read, so she gave energetic speeches about women’s rights. She also wrote beautiful poetry, with tines like “Unbinding my feet I clean out a thousand years of poison / With heated heart arouse all women's spirits.” Returning to China in 1906, she started a feminist magazine that encouraged women to pursue education, find jobs, and become financially independent. Qiu also worked with a close comrade to unify radical activist groups. In 1907, while teaching at a school that was a secret training ground for revolutionary soldiers, she learned that her comrade had been caught. She knew she'd be next. Qiu Jin was arrested and charged with the crime of writing two revolutionary poems. Her execution shocked the nation and made her a hero to many and a symbol of women’s independence. Four years after her death, the Revolution of 1911 transformed China, bringing about the change she had fought for.