Iron-Blooded Youth: The Young Lives Behind the Grand Military Parade

In 1984, during the early years of reform and opening up, the Chinese military held a grand parade to mark the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Beijing Military Region Medical School was ordered to form the first all-female marching contingent in the history of the People’s Republic. Through grueling training, 352 female cadets transformed themselves and ultimately marched past Tiananmen in proud, spirited formation, showing the world the mettle of China’s women soldiers.