Sister Ping (1949-2014) was deemed “one of the most powerful smugglers” of her time. Law enforcement was dedicated to tracking her down, while some considered her a modern-day Robin Hood. For those of you tuning in for the first time, welcome! Here’s the deal: Every weekday, we highlight the stories of iconic women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. We’re talking about women from around the world and throughout history. Each month is themed. This month we’re talking about troublemakers–from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word.
This month, we're talking about troublemakers–from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word.
History classes can get a bad wrap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Encyclopedia Womannica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.
Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know -- but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Encyclopedia Womannica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.
Encyclopedia Womannica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Liz Smith, Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Lindsey Kratochwill, Sundus Hassan, Adesuwa Agbonile, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, and Ale Tejada. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.
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Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I’m Jenny Kaplan and this is Womanica.
This month, we’re talking about Troublemakers and Villains. We’re covering stories from across a spectrum, from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word. All of the women we’re covering had a major impact on the societies in which they lived.
Women, like men, have played good and bad roles in human history. To gloss over women who we find less than inspiring is to accept a diminished and inaccurate place in the historical record.
Our subject today may have seemed unassuming. And yet, she was deemed “one of the most powerful … smugglers” of her time. Law enforcement was dedicated to tracking her down, while some considered her a modern-day Robin Hood. Let’s dive into the complex legacy of “Sister Ping.”
“Sister Ping” was born Cheng Chui Ping in Shengmei, a farming village in the Fujian province of southeast China. Cheng Chui Ping was one of five children. She spent her childhood doing arduous work in support of her family’s farm.
Hard work became a cornerstone of her personal philosophy. She was once traveling by boat to a nearby village to cut firewood when the boat capsized. She and a few others survived because they had been rowing and could hold on to the oars. Those who had nothing to cling to drowned. Cheng Chui Ping later told Patrick Radden Keefe, the reporter who wrote the most comprehensive account of her life, that this incident affected her deeply and enshrined a dedication to hard work.
In the 1960s, as the Cultural Revolution swept China, Cheng Chui Ping’s father left to work in the United States. After being deported and returned to China, he became a “snakehead” — a term used in China to describe those involved in the human smuggling business.
In 1969 Cheng Chui Ping married a fisherman. Soonafter, the newlyweds moved to Hong Kong. Then a little more than a decade later, in 1981, Cheng Chui Ping moved to the U.S. solo, without her family, where she set up a small convenience store on the outskirts of Chinatown in Manhattan.
The store quickly became a kind of community hub and gathering place for fellow expats.
In time, Cheng Chui Ping developed a human smuggling business, illegally bringing people from China to the U.S. It began almost like a small international family business. She had contacts back home and in other countries who helped her orchestrate everything. As her business grew, her network became more robust.
On an early morning in June, 1993 a hundred-and-fifty foot steamer ran aground in Queens, NY. The now infamous ship was called The Golden Venture and was partially financed by Cheng Chui Ping. The ship began its route in China. It traveled to Thailand, then Kenya, then around the Cape of Good Hope and across the Atlantic before running aground within visible sight of its final destination. After the ship crashed,people on shore could see passengers on the ship jumping off its sides.
The ship had traveled all the way from China with 300 malnourished immigrants aboard. Ten passengers died. Two of the people aboard owed Cheng Chui Ping money for their transport.
Over the course of two decades, Cheng Chui Ping collected a fortune of around $40 million dollars, charging as much as $35,000 per person to be smuggled into the U.S. Her name became something of an international brand. She was known to be reliable. Some credited her business for allowing them to build better lives than the ones they left behind. Those who felt that way helped bestow upon her a nickname, “Sister Ping”.
But “Sister Ping”’s work was not all altruistic. Her methods for collecting outstanding debt were violent and she had affiliations with gangs.
Still, She was popular in Chinatown for being relatively considerate.
Patrick Radden Keefe wrote that her handling of accidents attracted customers. She forgave outstanding balances in the event that her customers were caught by immigration officials. If customers died en route, Sister Ping paid for their burial.
Eventually, Sister Ping’s work caught up with her. The FBI arrested her and she was sentenced to 35 years in prison in 2006.
Cheng Chui Ping died of cancer in a Texas Prison on April 24, 2014.
All month, we’re talking villains and troublemakers.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!