SAN JOSE, CA. The ten-year-old daughter of Zhang Lin, Zhang Anni, arrived in San Francisco on September 7, on a flight from Shanghai, accompanied by her 19-year-old sister, Zhang Ruli. The two stayed at the home of Reggie Littlejohn and her husband, Robert. After several days, Ruli flew to visit relatives in New York. Last week, she returned to San Jose to be reunited with Anni, who cried with joy to see her.
Littlejohn made the following personal statement: “We are absolutely thrilled that Anni and Ruli have come to stay with us in the United States, and that the sisters are now together. I would like to thank those who worked hard to help make this happen, including Congressman Chris Smith, Jing Zhang, President of Women’s Rights in China, Ann Noonan, Executive Director of the CUSIB, Yao Cheng, Hu Jia, Li Huaping, Zhou Weilin, Chai Baowen and other friends in the United States and China who assisted greatly but cannot be named at this time. It is my delight to be able to help the family of Zhang Lin in this personal way. My husband and I are overjoyed to be able to care for and love two such fine daughters of China.”
Littlejohn continued, “My husband and I are very proud of Anni. She is a smart and determined girl. In her first three months in the United States, Anni has been attending school, learning English quickly, making strides in her piano lessons, and has learned to swim. She also has a quick sense of humor and a magnetic personality. She will be a leader one day. We are just getting to know Ruli, and are already impressed with her intelligence, sensitivity and insight. We have no doubt that she will be a force for good in the world.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1) Reggie Littlejohn greets Anni and Ruli Zhang at the San Francisco airport upon their arrival from Shanghai on September 7, 2013.
2) Littlejohn and Zhang Anni greet Zhang Ruli at the San Jose airport on December 8, 2013.
3) Anni and Ruli standing in front of their first Christmas tree, in Littlejohn’s livingroom
All photos courtesy of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers.
CONTACT: Reggie Littlejohn, President, Women’s Rights Without Frontiers
EMAIL: [email protected]
CELL: 310.592.5722
WEBSITE: www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org
