E2024-G178

The Mother of Gwangju: Jo A-ra

Narrative

Jo A-ra (1912-2003) *pen name: Sosimdang) is considered the “Mother of Gwangju” for her service in the realm of education, social welfare, human rights, and the democratization movement. Born in Naju, Jo was a Christian and sought to share with the poor and serve the community in the Christian spirit. Jo attended Speer Memorial Girls’ School in 1927, where her teacher was Kim Pil-rye (1891-1983), who founded the Gwangju YWCA. After graduating in 1931, she went to work as a teacher at Neel Girl’s School. However, in 1933, it was found out that an anti-Japanese group had been organized at Speer Girls’ School in 1929 while she was a student, which led to her losing her position at Neel Girls’ School.

After Korea’s liberation in 1945, Jo A-ra and Kim Pil-rye reopened Speer Girls’ School and continued working at the YWCA, which was rebuilt in 1947. Following the Korean War (1950-1953), she founded an orphanage, and later went on to found several schools for young women who had not received education. During the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the YWCA became a center of the resistance operation, and Jo played an active role in organizing and preparing food for the demonstrators. She was arrested and jailed for six months as a result. In 2015, the Sosimdang Jo A-ra Memorial Hall, was built in her honor in Yangnim-dong.

Story Map

• Compassionate Hearts: Medicine, Care, and Social Service
  • The People of Jejung Hospital
  • The Mother of Gwangju: Jo A-ra
  • Minister Choe Heung-jong and His Devotion to Leprosy Patients
  • Bak Sun-i and Her Devotion To Orphans
  • Environmental Activist Bak Seon-hong and Mudeungsan Mountain