Swallows Under Eaves: A Slice of U-M History

When Tianyi Zhai, an undergraduate student studying film, television, and media, was looking for inspiration for her honors film thesis, she was inspired by an article that her mom shared during her freshman year.

“My mom sent me an article about Barbour Scholars at U-M in the 20th century and yelled, ‘Look at your alumni!’ From that article, I read about a list of extraordinary female leaders who studied abroad and went back to contribute to wartime China,” she says.

Originally endowed by Levi Barbour in 1917 to support female graduate students from Asia and the Middle East, the Barbour Scholarship is among the oldest and most prestigious awards granted by the University of Michigan.

One Barbour Scholar in particular stood out to Zhai: Wu Yi-Fang. After receiving a Ph.D. in zoology at U-M in 1928, Yi-Fang returned to China to become the president of Ginling College, a leading women’s institution, where she nurtured a generation of female leaders and spent a lifetime advancing women’s education in China. Additionally, Wu Yi-Fang served as a non-party diplomatic representative and attended the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco in 1945, becoming the first woman to sign the U.N. Charter.

“What drew me to Wu Yi-Fang was the perseverance found in her professional accomplishments and in her personal story: Her family members passed away unnaturally one after another within a month after her father’s suicide, which happened when she was only 16,” she says. 

Zhai’s short film, Swallows Under Eaves, celebrates Wu Yi-Fang’s accomplishments and takes a look at the personal circumstances, motivations, and difficult life choices of this trailblazing Barbour Scholar. The film focuses on a time of great transition for Yi-Fang—torn between redemption and duty, Yi-Fang must decide whether to stay in the U.S. or return to a war-torn China to help rebuild her country.

Liu Gien-Tsiu was Yi-Fang’s dear friend, fellow Ginling College alumna, and fellow U-M Barbour Scholar, played in Swallows Under Eaves by Rackham biomedical engineering Ph.D. student Siyi Chen. 

“I thought Siyi was the perfect choice to play Liu Gien-Tsiu for two main reasons. First, they share a similar place at the University of Michigan—Siyi is a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering and Gien-Tsiu was a doctor of medicine student. As women in STEM, they likely faced many of the same challenges, which adds an extra layer of authenticity and depth to the film. Second, in the historical photos I found, Gien-Tsiu was always smiling or laughing—she had such a bright, joyful presence. Siyi is the same way. The similarities between them were so compelling that the decision felt natural,” Zhai says.

Chen had just finished her undergraduate studies at U-M and was embarking on her Ph.D. journey when she became involved in Swallows Under Eaves. While acting has been a passion for Chen since the age of 5, she lost touch with it as academic pressure increased. The film’s characters played a major role in pulling Chen back into one of her favorite creative pursuits.

“I was deeply moved by the fact that, over a hundred years ago—at a time when very few women had access to higher education, let alone studied abroad—the Barbour Scholars left their hometowns in search of knowledge they believed could one day transform their communities. Despite the lack of resources or information, they pursued what they felt was meaningful. I saw a bit of myself in them. As a woman in STEM, a field still largely dominated by men, I, too, hope to make a lasting contribution,” she says.

To prepare for her role, Chen read detailed accounts of Gien-Tsiu’s life, including biographies written by her family, and tried to understand the social pressures and limitations she faced as a woman in early 20th century China.

“A hundred years ago, she was a trailblazer in every sense—entering school at a time when girls were rarely educated, later attending Ginling Women’s College as one of its first seven female students, and eventually earning a doctorate in obstetrics from the University of Michigan.”

Struck by Gien-Tsiu and Yi-Fang’s unwavering commitment, Chen notes that neither woman ever married, dedicating themselves fully to advancing their fields.

“In a time when marriage often meant confinement for women, their decision was both radical and empowering,” Chen says.

Reflecting on her best advice for graduate students regarding non-academic pursuits, Chen encourages individuals to create space for themselves to recharge, especially after particularly demanding periods.

“Doing things I love outside of work helps me stay grounded, creative, and emotionally fulfilled. These moments of joy and self-expression make it possible for me to bring my best self back to my research,” she says.

Learn more about Swallows Under Eaves.