A Medal That Goes Through 93 Years To Commend Huang Baomei, An Outstanding Representative Of Textile Workers In New China

In the early morning of winter, an old man wearing an infrared jacket and speaking strong Shanghainese was walking. She was hale and hearty, with steady steps. She was 93 years old. She was Huang Baomei, the winner of the "July 1st Medal". "Healthy and long life" is enough to be envied, but it is just the least worthy thing to mention about Huang Baomei. Three years ago, when she was 90 years old and went to Beijing, General Secretary Xi Jinping personally awarded her the "July 1st Medal" to commend her contributions as an outstanding representative of textile workers in New China, a witness, participant and devotee of national development. From a textile worker born in the old society to wearing this medal with honor, Huang Baomei experienced a legendary life. At the age of 93, this "pioneer" of model workers and technological innovation is still willing to work and exercise, and he is a "post-90s" like the wind.

In 1958, Huang Baomei studied hard and mastered the technology of "ingot by ingot maintenance"

　　 The "heroine" in old films and high-definition images

Huang Baomei is on the campus

As early as 1956 and 1959, she was twice named the "National Model Worker" and became the model of female textile workers in those years. In a documentary film "Huang Baomei" directed by Xie Jin, Huang Baomei played herself in person, which was a hit "hot search" that year. In the old film, her energetic temperament and firm eyes peculiar to the 1950s are still shown on her at the age of 93. In that year, Director Xie Jin chose Huang Baomei to play her own role, just because she saw the vitality and passion of Huang Baomei. The belief of loyalty to the Party and enthusiasm for work not only made her a model worker, but also became an image ambassador of the builders of New China. Today, many TV stations and new media still interview her, and her story of being an octogenarian is left in the high-definition 4K video. From old films to 4K images, the images have been iterated countless times, and Huang Baomei is still the "heroine". Her alma mater, Donghua University in Shanghai, also created the drama "Huang Baomei" based on her. Her own experience was interpreted by her grandchildren's younger martial brothers and sisters. She watched the comments on the stage, as if she had traveled through time and space. This "archetypal" figure, who has been interpreted many times in the works of art, has long displayed a vitality that is longer and warmer than the works of art itself.

In 1953, Huang Baomei (second from left) was rated as a model worker of the Ministry of Textile Industry

　　 Life after retirement "upgraded" to Huang Baomei 2.0

In 1986, Huang Baomei retired at the age of 55. Two times of "national model worker", she should have quit the workplace and enjoyed her grandchildren with numerous honors. But Huang Baomei, with her "model worker character", has almost lived a new life version 2.0 in the new era. After retirement, she participated in the construction of many cotton mills in many places, actively served the residents, joined the "Populus Poplar Publicity", preached the spirit of model workers and the fine traditions of the Party. She said that "Communists do not retire", and they still work full-time until they are 76 years old. Now back at the place where she worked, the "National Cotton Plant 17" has changed. At the age of 93, she can still tell the details of that year's innovation. In her narration, we seem to hear the roar of machines. Although the textile industry has crossed the road of development for a hundred years and has been upgraded for a long time, we can still see the figure and spirit of countless strivers in that hot era from her.

At the age of 93, she was upgraded to "Huang Baomei 3.0". The highest honor of the country has made her a legendary entrepreneurial history and a representative of the spirit of struggle of the times. She is still as energetic as she was when she was young and loves art. She casually sang her favorite excerpts of Yueju Opera. She excitedly talked about her success in "chasing stars" Xu Yulan and Wang Wenjuan because of the "convenience" of model workers, and often had the opportunity to perform with them. Huang Baomei, a "super girl" who had the courage to take on responsibilities, dare to do things, dare to be the first, and "sing as you like", is still the dream chaser today. At the age of 93, we did not see her aging at all, but saw her endless personality charm. She deserves the highest honor bestowed on her by the motherland. And health and always positive, is the highest honor life gives her.

(Source: Textile and Clothing Weekly)