Secor in Woodford County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Minnie Vautrin

“Goddess of Mercy” at Nanjing

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, December 29, 2023

1. Minnie Vautrin Marker

Inscription. Wilhelmina “Minnie” Vautrin, (1886-1941) was born in Secor, Illinois, to French immigrants. Her mother died when Minnie was 6, and she was raised by her father and grandparents. She excelled at school and worked her way through Illinois State Normal University and later, the University of Illinois. In keeping with her Disciples of Christ faith, Minnie was a missionary to China for 28 years, teaching at Ginling College at Nanjing, first as an instructor then later serving as president. When the Japanese army invaded China in 1937, Nanjing became a target and thousands of civilians were displaced, tortured, or killed. Women were especially vulnerable. Vautrin opened Ginling's gates as a refuge to civilian women and girls, saving an estimated 10,000 lives. Written accounts report that she stared down armed Japanese soldiers to protect her charges, for which she is remembered as “the American goddess of mercy.”

Sponsored by
The Disciples of Christ Historical Society, the William G. Pomeroy
Foundation, the Consulate General of China in Chicago,
and the Illinois Historical Society.
November 2022

Erected 2022 by The Disciples of Christ Historical Society • William G. Pomeroy foundation • Consulate General of China in Chicago

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

• Illinois Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 40° 44.396′ N, 89° 7.984′ W. Marker is in Secor, Illinois, in Woodford County. Marker is on Field Street east of 4th Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in Secor Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 203 4th St, Secor IL 61771, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bloomington Airport Former Site (approx. 15 miles away).

Regarding Minnie Vautrin. After more than two years of protecting Chinese girls and women against Japanese soldiers' threats and atrocities, she suffered a nervous breakdown in May 1940 and returned to the United States. Traumatized by her experience in China, she committed suicide in a friend's apartment on May 14, 1941. She was 55 years old.

Also see . . .
1. Minnie Vautrin. Remembered as the “Goddess of Nanking”, Minnie Vautrin devoted

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, December 29, 2023

2. Minnie Vautrin Marker

her career to her students in China, first at Luchowfu Girls’ School and then at Ginling College in Nanking. (Disciples of Christ Historical Society) (Submitted on January 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Minnie Vautrin. "Goddess of Mercy!" During the Rape of Nanking (1937-38), the Chinese women refugees under Minnie Vautrin’s protection gratefully addressed her this way. (Hua-ling Hu, National Women's History Museum) (Submitted on January 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Wilhelmina "Minnie" Vautrin (1886-1941) image. Click for full size.

The Index (Illinois State Normal University) via Internet Archive (Public Domain), circa 1907

3. Wilhelmina "Minnie" Vautrin (1886-1941)

She is pictured here during her senior year at Illinois State Normal University (later Illinois State University).

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 64 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.