Lydia Trimble — A Visionary Pioneer

The story of Hwa Nan Women’s College begins with Miss Lydia A. Trimble (1863–1941), an American missionary who arrived in China in 1889. At a time when women’s education was nearly nonexistent in southern China, she founded Hwa Nan Women’s College in 1908—the first private college for women in the region. She named it “Hwa Nan”, meaning “Southern China”. Establishing the college was no easy feat. She fundraised and forged academic partnerships with American institutions to bring her vision to life. Trimble’s philosophy of education extended beyond academics. She believed in shaping character and instilling a sense of civic duty. “Higher education,” she said, “must serve others.” Lydia devoted 50 years of her life to educating women in china. Her legacy endures—in the walls of Hwa Nan, in the lives of the women she inspired, and in the mission of the college she helped create. Lydia’s fourth generation descendants, Mr. Gordon Trimble and his wife Sonia Trimble, are still actively teaching at Hwa Nan in their early 80s.

Dr. YuBaoSheng — A Modern Advocate

Hwa Nan College weathered the storms of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, ultimately merging with other institutions to form Fujian National University in 1949. Though the original campus faded from the map, its spirit endured. Across the globe, alumnae held fast to a shared dream: to one day restore their beloved alma mater. Among them stood Dr. Yu Bao Sheng, a trailblazer who earned her master’s degree from Columbia University. Returning to China in 1928, she joined Hwa Nan Women’s College and founded its chemistry department. With vision and determination, Dr. Yu rallied a group of retired alumnae, all aged 55 and above, to undertake the monumental task of rebuilding the college. Their dedication culminated in the founding of the new Fujian Hwa Nan Women’s College in 1984. Guided by the motto “Received to Serve,” they etched a new chapt

er in history—establishing the first private women’s college in the People’s Republic of China. Dr. Yu was honored “Chinese National model educator”, and served as an honorary chair of China’s Chemical Society. Her influence on both science and education left a lasting legacy.