THE GUNG-HO ORIGINAL Helen Foster Snow

In 1931, a young American aspiring writer set off for what she thought would be a one-year adventure in China. Hoping to gain life experience so she could eventually write the Great American Novel – Helen Foster Snow would instead become famous as the “Voice of China” to the west, and improve the lives of millions of people in the process. Olivia talks with Helen’s great-nephew Adam Foster, and Helen’s friend and translator Professor An Wei to share this unexpected and inspiring story.

Find more information on Helen’s remarkable life and work from the Helen Foster Snow Foundation, the Edgar and Helen Foster Snow Study Center in Xi’an, and the Utah Women’s History Initiative.

Helen Foster Snow just before departing for Shanghai
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Helen Foster Snow in Shanghai
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Helen interviewing the mayor of Shanghai (right) after the Japanese invasion in 1932
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Helen and Edgar on their honeymoon in 1932
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Edgar Snow, Helen Foster Snow, and Rewi Alley, cofounders of the Gung-ho Movement
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Helen and Edgar in China
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Helen Foster Snow, Edgar Snow and other with Mao Zedong in 1937
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

Helen Foster Snow with Red Academy officers in Yanan, China circa 1937
photo courtesy of BYU library

Helen and Edgar in Bagiuo, Philippines, 1940
photo courtesy BYU Special Collections

Newspaper story on Helen early in her time in China

An Wei (second from right) with Helen during her visit to China in 1978
photo courtesy of BYU Special Collections

An Wei and Helen at her home in Connecticut in 1985
photo by An Wei

Helen Foster Snow statue in Cedar City, Utah
photo courtesy of the Utah Women’s History Initiative

As the grand nephew of Helen Foster Snow, Adam Foster is the founder of the Helen Foster Snow Foundation and is currently serving as Chairman of the Board. He also works for Adobe as a Talent Development Partner in Lehi, Utah. With an MBA, he has over 15 years experience leading teams in strategic planning, leadership development, and project management.

In 2022, Mr. Foster received a personal letter from President Xi Jinping encouraging HFSF to continue Helen’s bridge building efforts. He has strong relationships with the Chinese embassy in DC, as well as national and subnational leaders throughout China. As a trailblazer in US-China relations, and the torch-bearer of Helen’s remarkable legacy, he regularly appears in major Chinese media outlets representing HFSF. Mr. Foster also serves on the advisory board for the Helen Foster Snow Cultural Center at Southern Utah University.

Professor An Wei was Helen Foster Snow’s translator during her 1978 visit to China. Their friendship grew over the years and An Wei became Helen’s major translator in China and founded the Edgar and Helen Foster Snow Study Center in Xi’an.

Music featured in this episode included

“Erhu Stomp” by Andy Reiner and the Earth Stringband

“What’s Good for the Goose” by the Melody Weavers

“Horse Racing” by Huang Huaihai

“Shanghai” by Mimi Martel

“Moon Reflected on Erquan Pond” by Guo-wei Wang

“Song of the Great Wall” by Leon Lischner and Friends

“Blooming Flowers Full Moon” by Zhou Xuan

“Eastminster” and “Vadodara” by Kevin MacLeod

Music featured in this episode included

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