Pictured above  is an iron wrought painting framed in dark wood with a green border. Within the painting, we see a young woman standing alone, stoically, in a field. The young lady is wearing what looks like long black pant large white shirt, and a black vest (possibly for holding ammo). The painting was made during a time in which the CCP was still alive and well.

The painting was likely used as propaganda as it depicts a woman not only being independent and strong, but also capable. The duration of Mao’s communist regime was the first time that women were able, and encouraged, to actively participate in the armed forces without having to disguise as men. It is interesting that visual representations of women during this time completely redefined what it meant to be a woman, as older ideas of femininity were discarded.

Here, femininity is redefined as capable, and independent instead of delicate and fragile. As the subject of the paining stands alone in a field, her arm on her hip, and her hand holding the strap securing her ammo vest, she represents the New Woman. One that is a force to be reckoned with, and a danger to underestimate.