Chronicle of the 2022 Work of the Women's Working Committee of the Academy of Marxism
2022 was an extraordinary year. Beijing successfully hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, and the Communist Party of China (CPC) triumphantly convened the 20th National Congress. In an atmosphere of unity and endeavor, the Women’s Work Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies (IMS) [1], under the leadership and strong support of the Institute's Party Committee and Trade Union, overcame the numerous adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations. By aligning with the year's major national events, the committee actively and proactively carried out both routine and specialized activities, achieving significant results.
1. Organizing the "Welcoming the Beijing Winter Olympics" Activity with the Theme: "Together for the Winter Olympics, Towards a Shared Future"
To support the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, encourage our staff to understand Winter Olympic culture, stimulate patriotic sentiment, and experience ice and snow sports—thereby embedding the Olympic spirit of "Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together" into people's hearts—the IMS Trade Union and Women’s Work Committee, with the strong support and guidance of the IMS Party Committee, jointly organized the "Welcoming the Beijing Winter Olympics" activity. The Trade Union and Women’s Work Committee meticulously designed two themes: "Painting the Winter Olympic Spirit Together" and "Showcasing Style in Ice and Snow Sports," soliciting works from all IMS staff and their families. The activity was well-received by staff and their families, who participated enthusiastically and submitted a total of 38 entries, including 30 image-based works and 8 videos. IMS staff and families expressed that this activity not only showcased their sunny, optimistic, and excellence-driven spirit but also fostered a profound cultural atmosphere of following, supporting, and participating in ice and snow sports within the Institute. Based on the submissions, the Trade Union and Women’s Work Committee created display boards, burned commemorative CDs, and prepared exquisite Winter Olympic souvenirs for all participants.
2. Organizing the International Women’s Day Activity with the Theme: "Recalling Extraordinary Years, Cherishing a Beautiful Life"
To further implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s requirements regarding unity and struggle [2], enrich the cultural life of our staff, and enhance the cohesion of the entire Institute—while seizing the opportunity to welcome the successful opening of the 20th National Congress with practical actions—the Trade Union and Women’s Work Committee, with the approval of the IMS Party Committee, organized a themed activity on March 30. Staff visited the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution and Yuyuantan Park. More than 90 staff members participated, with Deputy Directors Gong Yun and Lin Jianhua, and Yu Junxiao, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Committee [3] and Deputy Director, in attendance. Through the visit, participants felt that today’s happy life was hard-won; while viewing the cherry blossoms in the park, they realized more deeply that a beautiful life must be cherished. Following the activity, the Women’s Work Committee collected outstanding photographs to create a display board for a photography exhibition and prepared exquisite gifts for everyone.
3. Organizing the 3rd IMS "Professional Image Enhancement Salon for Women" with the Theme: "Beauty Rooted in Health"
To further care for the physical and mental health of our female staff, enhance their self-confidence, and showcase a healthy and upward spiritual outlook, the Women’s Work Committee held the 3rd IMS "Professional Image Enhancement Salon for Women" on September 22 in Room 1237 of the Research Building. Zhi Xiao’ai, a senior designer and posture management specialist from the Weini Fashion Group, was invited to give a lecture on body management and healthy posture. She provided on-site guidance on exercise methods suitable for the daily routines of researchers, aiming to cultivate a healthy and beautiful professional image for our female staff. Members of the Women’s Work Committee and dozens of female staff participated. The teachers [4] in attendance remarked that this salon was novel and meaningful; it not only helped them understand posture management and healthy body mechanics—areas often overlooked—and the close relationship between posture, health, exercise, and emotion, but also provided them with simple, feasible exercise methods, making the experience highly rewarding.
In addition to these specialized themed activities, the Women’s Work Committee focused on the specific characteristics of female staff, remaining constantly attentive to their demands. The committee conducted meticulous work, showing practical concern for their professional and personal needs and providing thoughtful services. For example, the committee maintained the practice of sending birthday wishes on the 15th of every month in the female staff WeChat group; offered specific congratulations to those getting married or having children; provided timely condolences when staff or their family members fell ill; actively coordinated solutions for breastfeeding difficulties when female staff returned to the office; and organized female staff to participate in the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) gynecological health check-ups. Addressing various issues encountered in children’s education at different ages—especially during the transition to higher schooling—the committee established groups to exchange parenting experiences. These efforts ensured that everyone constantly felt the care and warmth of the "Organization" [5].
Reflecting on 2022, the activities carried out by the IMS Women’s Work Committee were consistently permeated by the theme of "unity," enhancing staff cohesion and creating a positive, upward atmosphere. This fully demonstrated the spirit of our staff working hand-in-hand in a united struggle. The steady, solid, and distinctive work of the Women's Work Committee received high recognition from the CASS Women's Work Committee, IMS leadership, and female staff. Many female staff reflected that "it feels great to have the Organization behind us." This is the highest reward for the committee’s hard work and concerted efforts.
Women's Work Committee, Institute of Marxism Studies December 2022 (Drafted by Pan Xihua)