[PGS] Girls of the Empire: The Girl Guide Movement in Hong Kong, 1916-1930s

Girls of the Empire: The Girl Guide Movement in Hong Kong, 1916-1930s

Tracy Leung

Department of History, HKU

This presentation examines how and why the Girl Guide movement was introduced to the European, Eurasian, and Chinese communities in Hong Kong. It asks why the movement started in Hong Kong during the First World War and examines the role of the Girl Guide movement in early-twentieth-century Hong Kong, arguing that the intention behind its establishment was to advance British imperialistic interests by creating a space for colonial collaboration, bridging between British and Chinese elite communities. However, it also argues Girl Guiding appealed to Chinese pursuing the ideal of reviving China as they believed that Girl Guide training helped cultivate responsible and healthy citizens for China.

Besides examining the movement from adult organizers’ perspectives, this presentation also seeks to reveal girls’ voices, which are usually underexamined in colonial history. Drawing upon oral history materials, memoirs, and newspaper articles, it addresses the motivations of girls in becoming a Girl Guide. It examines the opportunities girls accessed through Girl Guide experiences and their feelings about Girl Guiding. In doing so, it shows how girls’ experiences and expectations, compared to adults’ expectations as both contributed to the early history of the movement.

Tracy Leung is an MPhil candidate in the History Department at the University of Hong Kong. She completed her BA in History at Hong Kong Baptist University. Upon graduation from HKBU, she was a Research Assistant at the Research Centre for Translation at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include Hong Kong history, colonial history, and the history of childhood and youth. Specifically, she is currently examining how the Girl Guide movement developed in colonial Hong Kong from 1916 to 1997.

No registration required. All are welcome.