ABSTRACT
A leader is an influencer. In China, women were secondary to men until the early 20th century. Two Chinese women, however, not only exerted great influence in China but, importantly, changed the relationship between China and the world. They are Soong Ching-ling (Madame Sun Yat-sen) and Soong Mei-ling (Madame Chiang Kai-shek). Although they were close in childhood, their ways parted due to drastically different ideas about China’s salvation. Through a lens of comparison and contrast, this article identifies the roots of their common and distinct belief and value systems. History is a mirror of the present time. Through an analysis of the two Soong sisters, the article contributes to the understanding of the formation of the relation between mainland China and Taiwan, as well as the historical and personal reasons for leaders with common goals to adopt different policies.
