The life story of a 70-year-old female Party member in the highlands of Nghe An

Through the touching story about his mother by Mr. Nguyen Sy Hung, a teacher at Anh Son 2 High School, I went to his house in village 8, Linh Son commune, Anh Son district, Nghe An province to meet Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoi - who had just received the 70-year Party membership badge in November 2017.

She is 90 years old this year, her hair is white but her demeanor and spirit are still very agile. She always has a gentle smile and lives a positive lifestyle, getting along well with her neighbors.

According to the family genealogy, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoi, alias Hong Nhan, was born on July 25, 1927. She started her revolutionary activities at the age of 18. Since 1945, she participated in the seizure of power and joined the Women's National Salvation Association, serving as the village chief of Phu Linh. In 1948, she was elected to the Executive Committee of the Women's National Salvation Association of Lang Son commune (Anh Son). On October 11, 1948, she was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Mr. Hoi and his wife in the Quang Binh battlefield. Photo: Provided by the character.

From 1949 to 1953, she was a member of the Women's Union of Lang Son commune, a member of the Executive Committee of the Women's Union of Anh Son district. In 1954, she was the deputy team leader in the 4th round of land rent reduction in Ha Trung commune (Thanh Hoa), and the 5th round of land rent reduction in Nong Cong (Thanh Hoa). In August 1954, she participated in taking over the liberated area of ​​Dong Hoi town (Quang Binh). In 1955, she continued to be the deputy team leader in land rent reduction in Son Trach, Bo Trach (Quang Binh). In 1956, she was the team leader participating in the reform in Quang Binh and building a base in Cua Tung, Vinh Linh. In 1957, due to difficult family circumstances, she asked to return to her locality and was added to the Executive Committee of the Women's Union of Linh Son commune as Vice President of the association. In 1959, she was elected to the People's Council, a member of the Commune Committee until 1966, when she held the position of President of the Women's Union of Linh Son Commune.

Not only that, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoi is also the wife of martyr Nguyen Sy Thanh (born in 1925), a brave soldier who fought in many battlefields: Thanh Hoa, Vinh Linh, Laos... and held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Military Command of Ben Tre province. Mrs. Nguyen Sy Thanh sacrificed his life heroically in 1971. According to Mrs. Hoi, they were married for more than twenty years but the time they lived together was only three months and a few days. It was not until 1977 that she received her husband's death certificate.

Turning grief into revolutionary action, Mrs. Hoi swallowed her tears, threw herself into work, and raised her two children to become good people. She enthusiastically did so to forget her grief and loss, from doing well in farming to working for women in the Executive Committee of the Women's Union of Anh Son district. From 1980 to 1986, Mrs. Hoi was elected to the Party Executive Committee, in charge of the Women's Union and the Supervisory Board of Vinh Phu Cooperative. From 1987 to 1995, she served as the Party cell secretary for three terms. It was not until 1996 that she asked to retire. She recounted: Sometimes when going to meetings, she had to hold both children with her, holding the baby in one arm and carrying the older child on her back. Not letting down her mother's hard work, worries, and love, her son, Nguyen Sy Hung, always tried hard to study. After finishing high school, he was admitted to the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education. Mr. Hung is currently working at Anh Son 2 High School.

Despite her old age, Nguyen Thi Hoi is still very clear-headed. Photo: Vinh Tam

The efforts and endeavors of Mr. Hoi were recognized by the Party and the State, and awarded many noble titles: First-class Anti-French Resistance Medal, First-class Anti-American Resistance Medal, Medal for the Women's Liberation Cause, 70-year Party membership badge,...

The 70-year Party membership badge is a great gift for Mr. Hoi in his old age. Photo: Vinh Tam

Now that the war has ended, whenever she has time, Mrs. Hoi immerses herself in memories of the years of hard work and dedication on the battlefields in the South, the North or in the locality. In particular, she also recorded in the genealogy of her family the patriotic tradition of her father and her husband and herself. The love for the country, family, homeland and the noble ideals of a passionate and enthusiastic party member are the greatest motivations for her to overcome all difficulties and challenges, and to excellently complete all tasks assigned by the Party and the People. Her life - a steadfast, indomitable, courageous, heroic woman - is a shining example for many generations to follow and strive for.