A total of 800 individuals and 200 collectives received the titles of the National March 8th Red-banner Holder and the National March 8th Red-banner Collective respectively at a commendation ceremony held in Beijing on September 29.

"The greatest spiritual strength lies in the sense of mission and responsibility of medical workers," said Qiao Jie, one of the recipients of the title of the National March 8th Red-banner Holder.

Qiao, 56, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Executive Deputy Director of Peking University Health Science Center and President of Peking University Third Hospital, has been engaged in clinical and basic research related to obstetrics and reproductive health over the years.

After the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, as the team leader of the Peking University's medical team to aid Central China's Hubei Province, Qiao rushed to Wuhan, capital city of Hubei Province, to treat critically ill patients. She served on the front line in the hardest-hit city in China for 66 days.

Qiao and her team put the safety of patients' lives first. She said that the medical team was composed of doctors and nurses from different departments, and they worked in shifts 24 hours a day.

In the face of challenges, they did their best to increase cure rate and lower the mortality rate, she added.

Zhang Nan, a supervising nurse at the Orthopedics Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University, was one of the first group of women medical workers from the university to assist Hubei Province.

She pitched in to help in the fight against SARS in 2003, working in Beijing's Xiaotangshan Hospital for more than 50 consecutive days.

Five years later, she participated in the relief work after Wenchuan earthquake. After the outbreak of COVID-19, she took the initiative to support Hubei, saving more than 80 critically ill patients.

According to Zhang, the pursuit of medical workers is to protect patients' lives with kindness and love.

"As a 'white angel,' I will carry forward the great anti-epidemic spirit, stay true to the original aspirations, work hard and be loyal to the Party, the people and the mission," she vowed.

Wang Yaling, secretary of Bairuijing Community and president of the Women's Federation of Bairuijing Community, in Wuchang District, Wuhan City, led her colleagues in fighting the virus for more than 120 days on the front line.

Bairuijing is home to more than 8,400 households and 21,300 individuals, making it the community with the largest number of residents in Wuchang District. However, it only has 23 community workers, 80 percent of whom are women, serving nearly 1,000 residents per capita.

Thanks to Wang's strong leadership and scientific arrangements in terms of epidemic containment and community assistance, more than 400 community residents were mobilized to offer voluntary services in just 20 days.

Anti-epidemic knowledge was promoted through a WeChat mini program, community's official WeChat account, QQ groups and electronic screens in the community.

Wang also organized community workers to conduct disinfection in public places and help transfer 107 confirmed or suspected cases and more than 200 fever patients to hospitals and clinics.

Liu Xian, 24, owner of a boxed-meal restaurant chain in Chengdu, capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, shared her experience and feelings in Wuhan City amid the COVID-19 outbreak at the event.

Liu and her team rushed to Wuhan, then hardest-hit place of China from 1,200 kilometers away and cooked 20,000 meals for frontline medical workers for free in over 40 days from early February to March.

Liu got the nickname "raincoat girl" among residents in Wuhan as she wore raincoat when cooking and delivering food because the protective suits were not enough at that time.

Liu never stopped her work in public welfare undertaking. When she returned to Chengdu, she established a medical equipment company to help local Hubei people find employment. Sometimes, she hosts livestreaming shows to help promote agricultural products.

"I felt honored to receive this award that signifies affirmation from the country and society," said Viya, one of China's most popular livestreaming hosts on e-commerce platform Taobao, adding that she would make continuous efforts to do something new and meaningful.

During the epidemic outbreak, Viya and her team supported Hubei to resume production by donating materials worth over four million yuan (US$588,000) and holding livestreaming promotional activities. Also, she cooperated with other companies to donate books valued at two million yuan (US $293,815) to 20 primary schools in poverty-stricken areas in Hubei.

Digitalization has brought convenience to women in both life and work, where people can get a job or obtain knowledge online, said Viya, adding that she hoped more and more women could improve themselves in the new era.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)