Gladys Aylward

February 24, 1902 – January 3, 1970

Missionary to China

A parlor maid who became a legendary missionary to China

Biography

English missionary to China who served from 1930 onward. During the Japanese invasion, she led over 100 orphan children on a harrowing journey across the mountains to safety. Her story was told in the film 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.'

Faith & Testimony

Rejected by the China Inland Mission for lacking education, Aylward saved her own money to travel to China by the Trans-Siberian Railway. She adopted Chinese citizenship, ran an inn for muleteers where she told Bible stories, and became known as 'Ai-weh-deh' (the Virtuous One).

Sources

Gladys Aylward — Wikipedia — Biography of the determined missionary to China
The Small Woman — By Alan Burgess. Biography adapted into 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness' film