EVANGELICAL WOMEN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1900; GLADYS AYLWARD P/5

                                                                                                                                                                         

In this story I will continue to focus on a woman named Gladys Aylward. She lived from 1902 - 1970. Upon arriving in Yangcheng County, Gladys worked with an older missionary, Jeannie Lawson, to help manage the Inn of the Eight Happinesses, a name based on the eight virtues of Love, Virtue, Gentleness, Tolerance, Loyalty, Truth, Beauty and Devotion.

There, Gladys and Mrs Lawson not only provided hospitality for travellers but would also share stories about Jesus, in hopes of spreading the gospel. 

For a time she served as an assistant to the Government of the Republic of China as a"foot inspector" by touring the countryside to enforce the new law against foot binding of young Chinese girls. Gladys met with much success in a field that had produced much resistance and even violence at times against the inspectors. 

Gladys became a national of the Republic of China in 1936 and was a revered figure among the people, taking in orphans and adopting several herself, intervening in  a volatile prison riot and advocating prison reform, risking her life many times to help those in need.