Guest Profile
Tan Yanlin, a member of the Communist Party of China, currently serves as the general manager of Longshan County Rebamei Handmade Textiles Co., Ltd. in Hunan Province. In the autumn of 2019, she enrolled in a Business Administration programme at the Hunan Branch of the Open University of China (OUC). Tan has been honoured with titles such as "National March 8th Red Flag Bearer" and "National Model Worker."
Q: Why did you choose to study at the OUC?
A: As the 45th anniversary of the OUC approaches, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to continue my education and experience the charm of lifelong learning.
Q: Could you share the story of how you led fellow villagers to prosperity with what you learned at the OUC?
A: Since returning to my hometown to start a business, I have remained true to my original aspirations and dedicated myself to the inheritance and innovation of ethnic traditional hand-woven textiles. Eighty percent of our products are exported to over 20 countries, including the United States, Italy, and France. Our company has been recognised as a "National Employment and Poverty Alleviation Base," "National Craftswomen Employment Base," "Hunan Province Outstanding Company in Innovation and Entrepreneurship," and "Hunan Province Employment Base for the Disabled."
In addition to leading the company's growth, I have focused on social responsibility and philanthropy. I have actively established support workshops, aiding left-behind women and the disabled in achieving employment and income growth. We have set up over 20 support workshops across eight counties in the Xiangxi region, helping 1,475 people find jobs near their homes. More than 98% of these employees are women, including 226 with disabilities. They weave a beautiful life with their industrious hands, bringing hope to themselves and their families.
I hope to enable more people with disabilities and left-behind women to regain confidence through hand-weaving and enhance their lives. When they regain their self-esteem through hand-weaving, I feel that all I have done is meaningful. I want to open a new door for them and find a path for traditional hand-woven textiles to leave the mountains and reach the outside world.
Currently, I use short videos to tell the stories of daily life in the Xiangxi mountains, effectively integrating Tujia culture with internet culture to narrate the Xiangxi story.
The title of "National Model Worker" is a lifelong honour and a constant responsibility. I am committed to embodying the exemplary ethos of a model worker, the dedication of hard work, and the meticulousness of craftsmanship. I will persist in maintaining a positive and aspirational outlook, continuously radiating positivity and warmth, and inspiring more rural and disabled sisters to join our extended family. Together, we will craft a vibrant and fulfilling rural life.
Q: What blessings do you wish for the OUC on its 45th anniversary?
A: Finally, I would like to thank the OUC once again for fulfilling my dream of attending university. I wish my alma mater a happy birthday, perpetual brilliance, and continued success!