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Communist Youth League Founded
The Young Communist League was a youth movement for ages 14-28. This was put in place to win the hearts of the young and to install communism into their hearts. The CYL still exists to this day with over 80 million members. -
Five Black Categories
When the Cultural Revolution started, new political identities were created. These 5 categories were the landlordS (地主), rich farmers (富农), counter-revolutionaries (反革命), bad influencers (坏分子), and the right-wingers (右派). -
Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution launched by Mao Zedong in China started in 1966. This horrible time period purged capitalist and traditional elements from China. The Cultural Revolution was incredibly violent and caused much chaos. There is a range in the death toll, the low being hundreds of thousands to the high of millions of people dying. This is a massive number considering the length of the Revolution. Beginning with the Red August of Beijing, many massacres occurred nationwide. -
Sent to the mines
At the end of 1969, Donghui's father who worked as a teacher, was sent to work in a mine far away in a poor province. -
Birth
Born in Hangzhou during the Cultural Revolution, growing up as a kid in China was a struggle. Donghui was born into the "bad elements" category because her parents were educated. Educated people were seen as a threat to the CCP as they wanted people to be absolutely dedicated to Communism. People in the bad elements category were forced to work on farms and laborious work. -
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Growing up in HanZhou
Because her parents were sent away, she grew up with her grandparents in her hometown for most of her childhood. She received enormous love from all 4 of her grandparents and uncles and aunts. -
Cultural Revolution Ended
Mao Zedong died on Sep 9th, 1976, thus ending the Chinese Cultural Revolution. This put an end to the horrible 10-year span of terror. -
After the Cultural Revolution
After Mao Zedong's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping rose to power and became chairman of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 1978 to 1989. He contributed to helping China become the world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP in 2010. He started the Boluan Fanzheng program which gradually brought the country back to order. Deng also reopened education for those whose education was cut short due to the revolution. -
Reopening
From 1977 to early 1979, Deng resumed the National College Entrance Exam that was interrupted by the Cultural Revolution. Deng contributed a lot to the reopening of China. Deng led the country away from planned economy and Maoist idealogy and opened up to foreign investments and technology, helping China grow into one the fastest-growing economies in the world. Donghui's mother was able to resume and finish college. -
Elementary school in Guizhou
She was moved back and forth between HanZhou and Guizhou (where her father worked as a mine engineer) in order to spend time with her parents. Below is a picture of what elementary school approximately looked like. -
College in China
In 1988, she attended Zhejiang Normal University in China, where she studied biology for 3 years -
TianAnMen (天安门) Massacre (1989 democracy movement)
Students from all over China and various colleges and universities came to TianAnMen to protest against the corrupt government and wanted more democracy and freedom. She and her fellow students supported the protest in her area. Protesters in TianAnMen Square were brutally massacred by the army. Ever since the massacre, students have been trying to flee from the country. Donghui supported the movement and rooted against the communist ideals. -
College abroad in Germany
Moving to Germany for college was a new chaptre. People were treated more equally, people were able to express themselves, and people were able to be who they really were. People were recognized by their abilities, and the work the put in. (This is a picture of Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremburg) -
Moving to America
This part of her life was a new chapter. The United States provided an opportunity to show how hard-working Donghui was and her abilities. Her goal was to start a new life and continue her career in the Biology field. When she arrived in America, she did not have much money and had to really work hard to establish her standing in America. People valued her for her skills and she was able to have the freedom to do anything she wanted. She was passionate and transitioned into biopharmaceuticals. -
First home
The first place she moved to in America was Quincy, MA. This is where her career and family started. -
Married in America
In America, in Nov of 2000, she married to Daheng Zhou at the Chinese Christian Church of New England in Brookline MA. -
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Work and career
Being a mother of 2 was not easy. She had to balance work and taking care of the kids but eventually, she found herself a place in her community. As a hard worker, she slowly climbed up the ladder with her strong and outstanding work in biology. Later in her career, she transitioned to biopharmaceuticals and currently works in the field. -
New Life
On July 17th, 2002, she started a new family in America. Eric Zhou, her first son was born at Boston Childrens Hospital. -
Expanding Family
On May 22nd, 2006, Daniel Zhou was also born at Boston Childrens Hospital. Starting a new life and family was a huge success. -
Moving
In 2010, her family moved to Wellesley MA. Eric was in 3rd grade and Daniel was still in preschool. They continued their education at Wellesley Public Schools. She continued to chase her career. -
Addition to the family: Taffy!
In the summer of 2019, a new member joined our family. A member that is loved by all. -
A proud moment in her life
In 2020, Eric started to attend his first year of college. She couldn't have been more proud because this was such a pivotal point in her life. The life she started in America was something to be proud of. -
Younger Sister!
In the summer of 2021, Taffy was greeted by a new member of the family, Luna!