Join Hands with One Heart, Forge Ahead in Unity
2022 was an extraordinary year. Beijing successfully hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Communist Party of China (CPC) triumphantly held its 20th National Congress. Within an atmosphere of unity and endeavor, the Women’s Working 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 numerous adverse effects brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. By integrating its efforts with the year's major national events, the Committee actively and initiatively carried out both routine and specialized activities, achieving significant results.
1. Organizing the "Welcoming the Beijing Winter Olympics" activity with the theme "Gathering Hearts to Welcome the Winter Olympics, Moving Toward the Future Together"
To support the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, promote the understanding of Olympic culture among our staff, stimulate patriotic sentiment, and provide experiences in ice and snow sports—thereby ensuring the Olympic spirit of "Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together" deeply permeates people's hearts—the Institute’s Trade Union and Women’s Working Committee, under 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 Working Committee meticulously designed two themes: "Painting Olympic Sentiments Together" and "Showcasing Style in Ice and Snow Sports," soliciting works from all IMS staff and their families. The activity was well-received, with active participation and enthusiastic submissions totaling 38 works, including 30 image-based works and 8 videos. Staff and their families expressed that this activity not only showcased the sunny, optimistic, and excellence-seeking spiritual outlook of the IMS community but also fostered a thick cultural atmosphere of following and supporting the Beijing Winter Olympics and actively participating in ice and snow sports. Based on the submissions, the Trade Union and Women’s Working Committee produced display boards, burned commemorative discs, and prepared exquisite Winter Olympic souvenirs for all participants.
2. Organizing the International Women’s Day activity with the theme "Recalling the 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 the staff, and enhance the cohesion of the entire Institute—while simultaneously seizing the opportunity to welcome the successful convocation of the 20th National Congress of the CPC through practical actions—the Trade Union and Women’s Working 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 [3] and Yuyuantan Park. Over 90 employees attended, including Vice Presidents Gong Yuan and Lin Jianhua, as well as Yu Junxiao, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President. Through the visit, participants felt that today’s happy life was not easily won; while viewing the cherry blossoms in the park, they further realized that a beautiful life must be cherished. Following the event, the Women’s Working Committee collected outstanding photographs to create a display for a photography exhibition and prepared exquisite gifts for the participants.
3. Organizing the 3rd IMS "Female Professional Image Enhancement Salon" with the theme "Beauty is 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-striking spiritual outlook, the Women’s Working Committee held the 3rd "Female Professional Image Enhancement Salon" on September 22 in Room 1237 of the Research Building. Zhi Xiao’ai, a senior designer and posture management specialist from the Winner Fashion Group, was invited to give a lecture on physique management and healthy posture. She provided on-site guidance and taught exercise methods suitable for the daily routines of researchers, aiming to cultivate a healthy and beautiful professional image for the female staff. Members of the Women’s Working Committee and dozens of female employees attended. The participating teachers expressed that the salon was novel in form and meaningful; it not only helped them understand knowledge of physique management and healthy posture—areas often overlooked—and recognize the close relationship between posture and health, or exercise and emotion, but also allowed them to master simple, feasible exercise methods, resulting in a very fruitful experience.
Beyond the specialized themed activities mentioned above, the Women’s Working Committee consistently focused on the appeals of female staff by tailoring work to their specific characteristics. They carried out meticulous work, genuinely caring for the professional and personal needs of female employees and providing attentive services. For example: maintaining the practice of sending blessings on the 15th of every month in the female staff WeChat group for those celebrating birthdays; offering specific congratulations to newly married or childbearing staff; providing timely condolences when staff or their family members fell ill; actively coordinating to resolve difficulties such as breast milk storage for female staff returning to the office; and organizing participation in gynecological health check-ups arranged by the CASS. Addressing the various issues encountered in children's education across different age groups—especially during the transition to higher schooling levels—they established groups to exchange parenting experiences. These efforts ensured that everyone constantly felt the care and warmth of the "organization" [4].
Reflecting on 2022, the various activities carried out by the IMS Women’s Working Committee were consistently permeated by the theme of "unity." They enhanced the cohesion of our staff, created a positive and upward-looking atmosphere, and fully demonstrated the spirit of our staff in working hand-in-hand with unity and endeavor. The steady, solid, and distinctive work of the Committee received high recognition from the CASS Women’s Working Committee, IMS leadership, and female staff alike. Many female employees remarked: "It feels so good to have the 'organization' behind us." This is the greatest reward for the hard work and concerted efforts of the Women’s Working Committee.
Women’s Working Committee of the Institute of Marxism Studies December 2022 (Drafted by Pan Xihua)