The "2025 National March 8th Red-Banner Holder" list has been announced, and multiple faculty members and students from the Open University of China (OUC) are among the honourees. These women have dedicated themselves to their work with unwavering commitment, shouldering responsibilities with quiet strength and reflecting their original aspirations through their prime years. They are trailblazers in their respective fields, and boundary-breakers in life. Starting today, let's get to know these exceptional OUC women, listen to their inspiring stories, and witness the radiance they bring.
PENG Xiaoju, Han ethnicity, is a member of the Communist Party of China. She graduated from the 2011 Autumn Agricultural Economics and Management programme at Anhui Branch of the Open University of China. She currently serves as Secretary of the Party Branch, Director of the Village Committee, and Chairwoman of the Village Women's Federation of Penghuang Village, Huigou Town, Lingbi County, Anhui Province. In 2026, she was honoured as a "2025 National March 8th Red-Banner Holder." Her awards include "Anhui Provincial March 8th Red-Banner Holder" and "Suzhou City Outstanding Individual."
PENG has been rooted on the rural frontline for many years, always carrying a sincere and devoted heart towards her hometown and its people. Starting from grassroots positions, she has gradually grown into the leader of Penghuang Village. Faced with challenges such as numerous left-behind children, limited employment opportunities for women, and lagging rural development, she took initiative and rose to the occasion, giving up opportunities to develop elsewhere. She stayed in her hometown, working diligently and practically. Focusing on industrial development, care for women and children, and rural governance, she led villagers through perseverance and dedication to solve development challenges, transforming the face of Penghuang Village and embodying the responsibility and commitment of grassroots women cadres through practical action.
In the realm of rural revitalisation and livelihood services, PENG fulfils her mission with original aspiration and warms people's hearts with practical action. She led the village collective to transfer over 70 mu of land, introduced hairy wood ear mushroom cultivation, and built 50 standardised greenhouses, creating employment for 150 villagers (including nearly 100 women) right at their doorstep. In the first year, output value exceeded 4 million yuan, with plans to further expand cultivation and build a distinctive rural brand for prosperity.
Beyond promoting rural industrial revitalisation, PENG also demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility in caring for women and children. As captain of the village women's volunteer service team, she formed six specialised service teams, organizing over 70 volunteer activities annually. She organised various caring activities for 376 left-behind children in difficult circumstances, actively cared for orphans and families with disabled children, and regularly conducted awareness sessions on drowning prevention and family education, nurturing children and supporting women with warmth.
As a primary-level Party organisation secretary, PENG consistently upholds her duties, consciously assumes social responsibility, motivates villagers to participate in environmental improvement and volunteer services, and improves the rural living environment. She strictly guards the red line of arable land and expands poverty alleviation achievements. She also regularly conducts family education lectures, contributing women's strength to high-quality rural development through practical action and perseverance, earning widespread recognition and acclaim from villagers.
As a primary-level woman leader, PENG consistently stays rooted in the countryside and serves the people. Her exemplary deeds have been extensively reported by media including the Lingbi County People's Government official website, People's Daily Online Anhui Channel, and Anhui News Network.
By Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development
Published: 31 March 2026