KPC3446: 100th Anniversary of Duksung Women’s University

Duksung Women`s University was founded by female independence movement activist Ms. Cha Mirisa in the spirit of the March 1st Movement and holds significance as a self-reliant, self-sufficient and self-aware women`s educational institution made by women. Duksung Women`s University, which has been committed to nurturing talented women, marks the 100th anniversary of its foundation this year. Honoring its anniversary, Korea Post is issuing the commemorative stamp 100th Anniversary of Duksung Women`s University.

On March 1, 1919, the March 1st Movement, which rewrote Korea`s history of independence movement and democracy, broke out across the country. What is significant about the March 1st Movement is that women`s social activities and enlightenment movements strengthened from this day on. As a response, women, who were oppressed socially, economically and psychologically, participated in women`s enlightenment movements while gradually developing their desire and awareness to find their sense of self.

Ms. Cha Mirisa, who led women`s education and social movements after she studied in the US and China at the end of the Joseon period, organized the Joseon Committee for Women`s Education with other female activists on April 19, 1920. Furthermore, she opened the Wives` Night School to educate many women who were the only ones responsible for household work in their family. This school, which developed from traditional night school, was the first women`s educational institution which emerged after the March 1st Movement and was built by Korean women without help from foreigners or foreign capital. The Dong-a Ilbo featured Ms. Cha Mirisa`s opinion piece beginning with “Education for Joseon women! This is the biggest problem in our society,” and informed the urgency of women`s education by stating that “the history of women who have lived without being considered valuable as humans is the biggest shame of humanity.”

The night school began with 10 students and grew to 160 students in October 1920, and built a new building in 1921, renaming itself as Geunhwa Academy. Geunhwa Academy was promoted to Geunhwa Women`s School in 1925 to provide practical women`s education in photography, sewing and embroidery, and renamed itself as Geunhwa Women`s Vocational School in 1935. In the 1930s, the school suffered some financial difficulties but overcame it and proudly presented its first alumni class in 1936. However, the school could not be free from Japan`s oppression. In particular, as there was mounting pressure from Japan about the school`s name, which represents the Korean rose Hibiscus syriacus, Ms. Cha Mirisa had to rename the school to Duksung Women’s Vocational School.

Following Korea’s liberation, there were efforts to make the school a higher educational institution for women, resulting in the establishment of Duksung Woman`s Junior College in 1950. It was promoted to its current university status in 1987 and has since then continued as Duksung Women`s University. Ms. Cha Mirisa`s saying, “Live but in your own life; think but with your own thoughts; know but on your own self,” serves as the founding spirit of Duksung Women`s University today, awakening pride as women and strong critical thinking, which enables democratic and transparent student activities. Duksung Women`s University has five colleges including Cha Mirisa College with 39 majors, satisfying the various needs of its students.

The commemorative stamp 100th Anniversary of Duksung Women`s University depicts the university`s library, which was designated as Seoul Future Heritage, standing in harmony with lush trees. Duksung Women`s University is planning a variety of commemorative events this year under the theme “Another Leap for Another 100 Years.” This commemorative stamp provides an opportunity to appreciate the life and dedication of Ms. Cha Mirisa.