In Tianjin, women prove they can handle power
Female engineers working at State Grid are defying traditional roles
Sun Baoling, 70, who headed the team when it was first established in 1973, praised its dedication to precision and the meticulousness in their work.
The team was founded with 10 women members aged between 18 and 20. They cut their long ponytails, the most popular hairstyle in China at the time, not only as a safety measure but also to demonstrate their devotion to their work.
The engineers participated in power grid rescue efforts during the devastating earthquake in Tangshan, Hebei, in 1976.
"From my perspective, power grid rescue and maintenance work is for all people in need... so now, our commitment is often highly appreciated at the grassroots level," she said.
After retiring, Sun dedicated herself to voluntary community service in Tianjin's Hebei district.
"I feel proud to help the needy, and I have been doing so since my younger years when I was a high-altitude power engineer," she said.
