The "keeper of the flame" of the women's movement in Nhu Son village.

Amidst the peaceful rhythm of life, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh – Head of the Women's Association in Nhu Son village, Chat Binh commune – is a very familiar face to local officials, members, and residents. Nearly four decades dedicated to the Association's work, holding many roles at the grassroots level, she has quietly contributed with a sense of responsibility, dedication, and a heart always focused on the members. It is this perseverance and dedication that has contributed to building a strong and exemplary women's association in the patriotic emulation movement at the grassroots level.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh, Head of the Women's Association of Nhu Son village, Chat Binh commune, Ninh Binh province.

In March 1987, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh began her role as the Head of the Women's Association in Nhu Son village, a position she has held to this day. Throughout the various stages of the organization's development, she has consistently been directly involved in managing, connecting, and maintaining the association's activities with a strong sense of responsibility and close attention to the grassroots. Furthermore, as a member of the Standing Committee of the Women's Union of the commune, she regularly advises and contributes ideas to the organization and implementation of association activities tailored to the local conditions.

As the Branch Head, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh has continuously improved the quality of the branch's activities and promoted membership development. In each meeting, she focuses on conveying information concisely and clearly, relating it to issues relevant to women; at the same time, she regularly listens to and understands the thoughts and aspirations of members in order to promptly reflect and propose solutions to address problems at the grassroots level.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh (third from the right) with other delegates attending the 1st Ninh Binh Provincial Women's Congress, term 2025-2030. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Linking the Women's Union's work with the task of economic development and improving the lives of women, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh has coordinated with the Agricultural Cooperative to organize technology transfer sessions for members; annually reviewing poor women's households and women-headed households with particularly difficult circumstances to propose appropriate support measures. Together with the Deputy Head of the Branch, she regularly discusses and finds ways to overcome difficulties, mobilizing members to help each other with capital and production experience, gradually achieving sustainable poverty alleviation.

Sharing about this process, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh said: "To effectively support members, first and foremost, branch officials must thoroughly understand the circumstances of each family. I regularly go down to the grassroots level, talking directly with the women to understand what they lack and what obstacles they face; from there, I discuss with the branch, the Women's Union of the commune, and relevant units to find appropriate forms of support, helping women confidently rise up through their own labor."

These efforts have yielded tangible results. Every year, the branch encourages its members to participate in vocational training courses in handicrafts such as weaving sedge and water hyacinth, creating jobs for women during their leisure time. To date, approximately 70 women have stable occupations, earning between 2 and 3 million VND per month. Through the Social Policy Bank, the branch has effectively managed 1.1 billion VND in loans for 47 households, supporting members in developing production and enabling students from poor and near-poor households to study with peace of mind.

The Women's Association of Nhu Son village presented gifts to encourage its members on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival 2025. Photo: Provided by the association.

In her work of disseminating legal information, she always focuses on innovating the form and content to suit each group of members. As a result, over 95% of members in the branch have full access to the Party's guidelines and resolutions, the Women's Union's policies and laws related to women, contributing to raising awareness of law compliance in the community. Membership development has also yielded positive results, attracting 10 to 20 new members annually, achieving a rate of 3 to 5%.

Upholding the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source," she encouraged members to actively participate in gratitude-repaying movements, support the construction of shelters for the needy, assist people affected by natural disasters, and contribute to the social welfare fund. Annual contributions reached 150-200%. Members also actively contributed labor and resources to building new rural areas, donating land for roads, constructing village cultural centers, and creating a 2.5km long flower-lined road…

One of the highlights of Ms. Oanh's work is her unwavering commitment to building the spiritual well-being of the members. She has proactively organized numerous cultural and artistic exchange activities within the branch; and directly participated in staging performances for the Women's Union's festivals. In addition, clubs and thematic meetings are regularly maintained, creating a healthy and cohesive environment for members.

In particular, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh has advised on the development and effective maintenance of many exemplary models such as the "Folk Dance and Sports " Club with 35 members; the "Branch attracting 100% Catholic members of eligible age to participate in the Association" model; and the "Waste treatment using indigenous IMO microbial enzymes" model... Given the unique characteristic of the branch having a majority of Catholic members, she always proactively coordinates with officials, is flexible in organizing activities, and creates conditions for members to both fulfill their responsibilities as members and fully perform their duties as believers.

Comrade Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Chat Binh commune, said: The Women's Union branch in Nhu Son village has maintained its activities for many years, effectively implementing the Union's movements and models, closely linking the Union's activities with the task of economic development, building cultural life and new rural areas. In particular, Comrade Nguyen Thi Oanh, the branch leader, is a dedicated and responsible grassroots official who is deeply involved with the members, employing many flexible and creative approaches, contributing to making the branch a shining example in the women's movement of the commune.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh had the honor of being one of the 34 outstanding delegates from Ninh Binh province attending the 11th National Emulation Congress.

In recognition of her tireless efforts, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh was honored with the "For the Advancement of Women" commemorative medal from the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union; and a Certificate of Merit from the Ninh Binh Provincial Women's Union for outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movement during the 2015-2020 period. Particularly, for her persistent and practical contributions to the patriotic emulation movement at the grassroots level, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh was selected as one of 34 outstanding delegates from Ninh Binh province to attend the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress. This is not only a source of pride for her personally, but also a well-deserved recognition for grassroots women cadres who silently dedicate themselves to spreading the positive values ​​of the patriotic emulation movement from villages and residential areas.

Always quiet and diligent, Ms. Nguyen Thi Oanh has chosen a quiet but persistent way of contributing. Through concrete and practical actions in her village, she has helped spread the spirit of patriotic emulation and affirmed the role and position of the Women's Union in community life.

Khanh Chi - Viet Du

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/nguoi-giu-lua-phong-trao-phu-nu-o-thon-nhu-son-rd7336-251224110934231.html