Nüshu: The Language of Sisterhood

By Gloria Steinem

Embroidered Nüshu writing gifted from Wilma Mankiller to Gloria Steinem. From the archives of Gloria’s Foundation

I have on my wall an embroidered example of Nüshu, the script that women in the Hunan Province of China invented. Forbidden to go to school, they used this secret woman-only written language to exchange letters; passed down between generations. They would write in narrow columns, leaving wide margins as spaces for another woman to add her own words.

Many examples of Nüshu survive, even though this correspondence was so precious that women were often buried with letters from their friends. The remaining letters show us that women sent notes of friendship, and also protested the restrictions on their own lives. One wrote, “Men leave home to brave life in the outside world. But we women are no less courageous. We can create a language they cannot understand.”

When I’m discouraged, I look at this embroidery and think, “If they could do that…” and it is a great motivator. I also think of my friend Wilma Mankiller, the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who gifted this embroidery to me.

The note that Wilma wrote to me with this gift is still taped to the back of the frame. It reads:

“Gloria,

I hope you enjoy this little sample of Nüshu language. I love the creativity and strength of these women who found a way to communicate even under very oppressive conditions.

Love,

Wilma”

Handwritten note from Wilma Mankiller to Gloria Steinem accompanying embroidered Nüshu writing. Photograph by Katie Lyman. From the archives of Gloria’s Foundation

I hope in sharing this story, it might lead you to sharing your own.