▶ Description

Every year in March, thePuyuma tribe celebrates the Puyuma Women's Festival, a unique event where women of the tribe come together to commemorate their cultural heritage and honor the importance of women in their society. The festival is rooted in the concept of "matrilineal inheritance," and it centers around the completion of tasks such as weeding the millet fields by Puyuma women. Following this, the female elders collectively plan and execute a series of festive activities that showcase the strength and contributions of women within the tribe.

On this day, women of all ages don traditional tribal clothing, adorned with flower crowns, while carrying old vines and playing musical instruments as they parade through the village. Upon returning to the Palakuan (gathering place), tribal leaders and elders warmly welcome and honor the women, with special recognition given to elderly women. This celebration, known as the Puyuma Women's Festival, has been a cherished tradition for over a century, providing a significant occasion for women to revel in their own festival.

Meanwhile, male tribe members take on the role of cooking and preparing meals throughout the day to show appreciation for the hard work of the women. This intergenerational celebration not only strengthens the bonds among the tribe members but also passes down the Puyuma culture, including songs, rituals, embroidery skills, weaving flower crowns, and life attitudes, celebrating the enduring spirit of Yi-Na, the guardian of the tribe's heritage.

▶ Landmark Description

The landmark features "Yi-Na's Hands," symbolizing the incredible abilities of Paiwan tribe women. Their hands skillfully embroider flower crowns and clothes, tend to the millet fields, and care for their families. A mother's skilled hands document the growth of her family, weaving a narrative of generations. (Designed by Rao Aiqin)

■ Chia-Yi Mazu Granny - Hsu Shih-Hsien

▶ Description

The first female medical doctor in Taiwan, she was the daughter of a scholar from Tainan City. Together with her husband, Mr. Chang Ching-tung, she established the "Shun Tien General Hospital" in Chiayi City, dedicating themselves to medicine and earning a widespread reputation. They were known as the "Doctor Couple." Dr. Hsu Shih-Hsien opened the path for women's participation in politics in 1946, advocating for women's rights, abolishing public prostitution, and organizing women's associations. Her clean and diligent image established the "Hsu Family" brand. With her compassionate medical practice and ethical conduct, she earned the title of "Chiayi Mazu Granny."

Her tenure is especially remembered for fearlessly expanding Zhongshan Road and renovating the Central Seven-Color Fountain. These projects not only became significant landmarks in Chiayi City but also symbolized the spirit of the "Democratic Sanctuary."

▶ Landmark Explanation

The hanging decoration resembles the headdress of Mazu Granny. The lotus motif conveys a sense of integrity. The sun and moon shining together signify the resilience of women. The uplifted hands protect the homeland and nurture Taiwan's democracy like blooming flowers. Dedicated to medicine and benefiting society, she achieved ten firsts across Taiwan. (Designed by Wu Chuan)

■ YWCA Young Women's Christian Association

■ Chinese Women's Association

▶ Description

The full name of the organization is the "Chinese Women's Anti-Communist and Anti-Russian Association," commonly known as "婦聯會" (Fu Lian Hui). Founded in 1950 by Madame Chiang Kai-shek (Soong Mei-ling), the association brought together military dependents, civil servants, and businesswomen. At the forefront of its activities was the "Needle and Thread Brigade," where members sewed clothes, beddings, and other daily necessities for soldiers and their families. The association also frequently led diplomatic delegations to the front lines, providing labor and showing appreciation to the military.

During a time when Taiwan was excluded from the United Nations, Madame Chiang Kai-shek demonstrated exceptional diplomatic skills by offering aid to friendly nations in need, donating medicine, finances, and more. This led to the establishment of 22 overseas branches. In the 1990s, the association transitioned to focus on social welfare initiatives.

The former site of the 婦聯會 is located in a building formerly known as "偕行社" during the Japanese colonial period. In 1998, it was designated a historic site known as "至德堂" (Zhi De Tang), representing one of Taipei's surviving early Baroque-style architectures.

▶ Landmark Explanation

The intertwined doves and the resilient plum blossoms symbolize the strong and unwavering power of women in their pursuit of peace.

(Design by 林俐貞 and 殷寶寧)

■ Pioneers Publishing

 

▶ Description

In 1971, during the period of martial law in Taiwan, Lu Hsiu-lien (Annette Lu) sounded the "Women's Movement Bell" by publishing an article titled "Traditional Gender Roles." Following this, she established the "Protect You Hotline" service for female workers in processing zones in Kaohsiung. In 1976, she co-founded 拓荒者出版社 (Pioneers Publishing) in Taipei with five other pioneering women who were adept at both wielding cooking utensils and penholders. The founding members included Lu Hsiu-lien, Shih Shu-ching, Tsao Yu-fang, Huang Hui-ying, Wang Chung-ping, and Chen Yun-ying. They wielded the "sword" of words to break new ground, creating the first movement that combined women's rights advocacy with publishing. Although it existed for only a brief two years, it laid the foundation for the subsequent flourishing of the women's movement.

▶ Landmark Explanation

[Upper Image] Depicts the historical appearance of published books by 拓荒者出版社.

[Lower Image] The tree symbolizes the growth of the new women's movement; the three profiles from right to left represent the development of women's consciousness—silenced, budding, gradually gaining clarity—positive and self-assured. (Designed by Huang Hui-ying)

■ Women's Awakening Building on Aibei Road

▶ Description

In 1982, a group of women including Li Yuanzhen, Zheng Zhihui, Wu Jiali, Bo Qingrong, and You Meinv established "婦女新知" (Awakening) as a magazine to awaken women's self-awareness. After the lifting of martial law, they transformed it into a foundation to promote women's rights. In 1987,婦女新知 leased a building on Bo'ai Road near Beimen Post Office. Over time, Serendipity and the Evening Light Association and Women's Rescue Foundation also occupied different floors in the same building. In times of scarcity, they shared resources, organized events, advocated for legal reforms, and supported each other, collectively writing another chapter of women's rights history known as "Herstory."婦女新知 led the women's movement, allowing diverse women's issues to flourish in a pluralistic society, and through this old space, continued the legacy.

▶ Landmark Explanation

An "O" that cannot be distinguished between inside and outside in the cycle of time and space. As your gaze moves along the surface of the "O," from inside to outside, from outside to inside, the distinction disappears. Women are the same; they have always been both male and female, always two in one and one in two. In the ongoing battle of life, they become "one." (Designed by [Your Name])

■ Homemakers United Foundation

 

▶ Description

Founded in 1987, 主婦聯盟 (Homemakers United Foundation) emerged as a group of homemakers determined to take practical action for Taiwan's worsening environment. In 1989, they established a foundation and began publishing booklets to raise environmental awareness. Through training countless eco-conscious mothers to engage with communities and schools, advocating for waste separation and recycling (which later evolved into national policies after a decade), protecting forests, promoting recycled paper, establishing natural trails in suburban mountains, and spreading local and environmental education, 主婦聯盟 has become a force that fearlessly speaks up, takes action, and willingly shares knowledge. Their unwavering efforts continue to improve our living environment.

▶ Landmark Explanation

The rainbow symbolizes a divine blessing to humanity, and here it celebrates the diversity, determination, and passion of women with its seven vibrant colors. Just as women perpetuate life, they also drive the green revolution to salvage our planet from crisis and create a harmonious and beautiful new realm.

(Designed by [Your Name])